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London Police unveiled their new mobile command post on November 6th,
replacing a converted mobile home that had been in service for close to
twenty years.
This state-of-the-art vehicle will not only serve London Police, but
will also support London and area first response and community support
agencies at major emergencies. It features multi-agency
communications capabilities, scene lighting, video networking and other
computer and audio/visual equipment, as well as space for collaborative
decision-making. The Provincial government provided $250,000 from
the Solicitor General's Proceeds of Crime Fund. The Federal
government also contributed $50,000 through the Joint Emergency
Preparedness Program (JEPP). |
Winter Severe Weather - Are You Prepared?
 Southwestern
Ontario experiences a wide variety of winter weather including freezing
rain, ice pellets, snowsqualls and white-outs, heavy snow, and high
winds. We are affected by two types of major systems; Colorado
Lows and Alberta Clippers.
Lake effects can mean inconsistent precipitation (i.e., part of
the city gets a larger amount of snow than another). Lke effect
squalls can also remain stationary over our area and deliver a large amount of
snow when no system is in the area. This type of streamer effect also
causes sudden, almost zero visibility on rural roads and highways.
These weather events can cause extensive delays and inconveniency but
also damage, power outages and can even endanger life.
Take the time to know what to watch for, and what to do if there is a
weather watch or warning issued for where you live or where you are
traveling to.
Be Weather Aware!
It is important to consider the potential for severe weather when you are
planning your daily activities. Take steps to keep you and your family safe
when there is a chance that severe weather will strike. Be sure you know the differences between
weather advisories, watches and
warnings.
Tips on Preparing for Hazardous Winter Weather:
- Don't wait for a particular storm to prepare for poor
weather. Begin your preparations early in the season
so that you're ready to react quickly when a winter storm is
forecast. Have a three day supply of water and non-perishable or canned
foods on hand in case you are unable to get to a store for a few
days. Perhaps have a full tank of propane on your outside
barbeque as a backup cooking facility. Draw up a
simple family emergency plan outlining where family members should
meet if there is an emergency. Visit Emergency Management Ontario's
Be Prepared website and watch their emergency preparedness
video, designed to help individuals and families prepare an
emergency plan and create their own 72-hour emergency survival kit.
Also check Public Safety Canada's
Getprepared.ca
website.
- Listen for Environment Canada's weather forecasts and
warnings and pay close attention to changing weather
conditions. Environment Canada weather forecasts are available
through radio and television broadcasts, on Weatheradio, recorded phone messages and web sites. Check Environment Canada's
Weather Office
web site, their
Southern Ontario
Weather Warnings web site, or
listen to
Weatheradio
and be prepared to act. Get in the habit of
factoring the weather into your daily plans and be ready to cancel
or reschedule plans. Have a full gas tank in your vehicle when a
storm threatens.
- Travel safely. Give your car a winter tune-up in
mid autumn and have your snow tires installed early to avoid being
caught off guard by a late autumn snowstorm. Assemble a car
emergency kit including basic items like high-energy snacks, a
flashlight or road hazard light, new batteries, a blanket, and warm
gel packs. Listen to weather forecasts early in the day to determine
if there is the potential for severe weather in your area, or along
your travel route. Check your
provincial road reports before setting out on a trip. Be
especially cautious if snowsqualls are forecast.. conditions can
quickly change from clear blue skies to near zero visibility.
- Assemble a home emergency kit. Have a dedicated
supply of bottled water and non-perishable or canned foods on hand
in case you are unable to get to a store for a few days. Ensure you
have a battery or crank-powered radio, flashlights, new batteries
and propane to fuel a propane camping stove and/or barbecue for
cooking and heating water. Do not use propane stoves and barbecues indoors and avoid
using candles if at all possible as they can be extremely dangerous,
particularly if you have children or pets.
- Work and play safe. Winter storms and severe
conditions like high wind chill values can be hazardous to you, your
employees, children, or even pets. When you're working or playing
outside beware of worsening conditions in the area around you. If
conditions worsen get indoors as soon as possible. If you must be
outside during inclement weather, dress to suit the weather. Wear a
hat and dress in thin layers of loose-fitting clothing with
water-repellent and wind-resistant outer layers. Watch carefully for
symptoms signaling hypothermia: shivering, confusion and loss of
muscular control. Frostbite can occur in minutes. Watch for numbness
or whiteness in ears, nose, fingers, and toes.
- Respect the potentially destructive power of the weather.
When severe weather is forecast for your area, make preparations
quickly, securing any outdoor property. Take cover inside and stay
there until the storm has subsided and the danger has passed. Don't
travel unless it's absolutely necessary and respect evacuation
orders that local emergency responders may issue. Keep your vehicles
off the roadways to allow snow removal crews to clear the streets.
- Remember that after-storm conditions can pose
hazards too. Downed tree limbs and power lines can be dangerous.
Be extremely cautious if you decide to tackle tree-removal yourself.
Better yet, leave it to the professionals! Even falling ice and snow
can be deadly. Road conditions can remain hazardous too even after
the storm has subsided. Take care as you resume normal life after a
storm has stopped.
Check our Severe Weather page for
complete information.
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Emergency Preparedness Guide for Persons with Disabilities
and Special Needs
Unveiled
during Emergency Preparedness Week 2007, this
guide was developed jointly by Emergency Management Ontario (EMO), a
branch of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and
the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO), part of the Ministry of
Community and Social Services, with the participation of 20 stakeholder
groups who provided subject matter expertise. This guide is available on
the Emergency Management Ontario website in French, Chinese
(simplified), Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi and Spanish.
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