Severn encourages our community to 'get prepared' during annual Emergency Preparedness Week

Township of Severn is recognizing May 4 to 10 as Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week). This week is an important opportunity to learn about and implement actions we can all take to be better prepared for emergency situations, such as those that were a result of the recent ice storm event.

Depending on the type of incident, its severity and duration, you’ll either shelter in place in your home, or in some cases, leave your home, or be away from home. As was evident by the effects of the recent ice storm, you may not have electricity, water, cooking or heating gas, or access to the internet. Take some time this week to know the risks and make a plan.

- Director of Fire and Emergency Services / Fire Chief Ritch Lowell

What you can do   

• Know the risks

  • Consequences of disasters can be similar across Canada but knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you be better prepared. Learn more about hazards and other emergencies that may affect you on Canada's Hazards and Emergencies page. 

• Make a plan

  • During an emergency, every second can count. Make sure you're prepared so that you can act fast in any emergency. A plan will help you and your family know what to do.

• Create an emergency kit

  • During an emergency you may need to get by without power or tap water - be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours by creating a Family Emergency Kit.

• Reduce your risk

  • Natural disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we may face. These emergencies can include unforeseen events like wildfires, chemical spills, snowstorms, floods, and disease outbreaks which can occur quickly and without warning, and understanding these risks helps each one of us to be better prepared.

"This week, I encourage everyone to take a few simple actions to be better prepared. Our experiences during the ice storm have shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to help people cope with the stress - both during and after an emergency. I would encourage our residents to make both an emergency plan and at a minimum, a 72-hour kit - it really can make a difference."

-Mayor Mike Burkett

Emergency notices

In the event of an emergency, please:

• visit our newsfeed for public notices
• follow us on Facebook and X
• listen to local radio stations for the most up-to-date information.

Review the public weather alerts to find out about severe weather events.

Emergency management resources

For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, check out the following resources:

• Township of Severn Fire and Emergency Services Emergency Preparedness page
• Province of Ontario Emergency Preparedness Week
• Government of Canada: Emergency Preparedness Week
• Canadian Red Cross
• Centre for Emergency Preparedness
• County of Simcoe Emergency Management

Contact us

Customer Care Team
Phone: 705-325-2315
Email the Customer Care Team