Mississauga needs to be ready for disaster at any time, officials say

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Published September 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm

The Mississauga train derailment of 1979 kept tens of thousands of residents out of their homes for a week. In this photo, cars are diverted away from the derailed tanker cars.

Nobody ever thinks that a widespread emergency or natural disaster is just around the corner.

But it could be, and City of Mississauga officials want people to be prepared.

Still living through a worldwide pandemic and less than 20 years removed from a paralyzing blackout that left a huge chunk of the Northeastern American seaboard, US midwest and eastern Canada in darkness (many places for days), Mississauga residents should be easily convinced to take a few simple steps to prepare for the next big event.

At least, that’s what Mississauga officials hope.

They took to social media this week to encourage people to prepare themselves and their families for another large-scale event that could suddenly cripple society.

“Our lives can change in an instant,” City officials wrote on a Twitter post. “It’s important to be prepared for potential emergencies or disasters.”

They urge people to read Mississauga’s latest Emergency Preparedness Guide (link attached to tweet below), a comprehensive collection of important tips, necessities and much more information critical in case disaster strikes.

In the guide overview, officials note that “during an emergency, we all have a role to play.”

Luckily, City officials say, a quick scan of the material will provide the reader with enough potentially life-saving information.

“Emergencies can arise from human-caused, technological
or natural hazards,” the City says in the guide. “Regardless of the type of emergency, the City of Mississauga has comprehensive emergency plans and programs in place to ensure that essential services remain available. The nature and scope of an emergency determines which emergency plan or plans are activated. ”

In a large-scale emergency, a team of qualified professionals from the City, Region of Peel and non-government organizations works together to coordinate emergency response services, City officials say.

They add that the role of residents, then, is to “ensure you are prepared to take care of yourself and your family for up to three days following an emergency. Being prepared helps to ensure first responders can focus their attention on those in immediate need
during an emergency.”

Officials say residents everywhere and property managers (of high-rise buildings) need to make a plan, build an emergency kit and be informed during any emergency.

In building an emergency kit, people should ensure items can be packed into an easy-to-carry container such as a suitcase on wheels or backpack.

The kits should include:

  • flashlight
  • chargers for electronic devices
  • portable power bank for devices
  • battery-operated or crank radio
  • spare batteries
  • First-aid kit
  • flameless candles and batteries
  • spare car keys
  • cash
  • important papers (copies of ID, insurance policies, etc.)
  • non-perishable food and bottled water (12 litres of water per person)
  • items needed to open food (manual can opener)
  • clothes and footwear

 

 

 

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