Thu 06 May 2010 06:33:23 AM EDT

Are You Ready?

It's been awhile, but what better time to communicate with you then during Emergency Preparedness Week!

2009 was a busy time for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) both on the emergency response front and in the emergency preparedness program.  This newsletter focuses on

• Emergency Responses 2009
• Are You Ready Program 2009
• Emergency Preparedness Week 2010

Emergency Responses in 2009

One year ended and the next began with the OC Transpo Service Disruption and a major fire at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Ottawa.  In February 2009, the City was busy hosting President Obama: the joys of being the Capital of Canada! The summer of 2009 was the wettest summer in years with a record rainfall resulting in flooding in the Kanata area. The fall and winter climaxed with our response to the Influenza Pandemic H1N1.

Are You Ready?

2009 was another stellar year for the Are You Ready Program. We achieved:

1.       The implementation of a comprehensive Communication Plan that proactively promoted the Are You Ready Program resulting in a significant increase in the

1.       Demand for the Train the Trainer Sessions and Community Sessions (from 19 to 27)

2.       Program participation (from 29 to 140 workshop participants)

2.       The launching of the EP e-newsletter (spring and fall) to over 100 community partners

3.       Partnering with Statistics Canada, for a second time, to conduct the Ottawa Public Emergency Preparedness Survey

4.       An increase in the distribution of program materials from 25,972 to 31,310

5.       An increase of 14 new Volunteer Trainers through the Volunteer Trainer Engagement Program. Our new trainers can now be deployed into the community to provide emergency preparedness training on behalf of the City of Ottawa. 

City of Ottawa celebrates Emergency Preparedness Week 2010

As you know, National Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 2 to 8.   Events will be occurring all over the country. If you haven't done so already, get your emergency plans and kits in place!
 
Here are some simple ways to get ready:

1.       Watch a video on how to put an emergency preparedness kit together at http://www.getprepared.gc.ca

2.       Take the Emergency Preparedness Challenge and win cool prizes at www.ontario.ca/beprepared (contest runs from April 29 to May 31)

3.       Assemble your own home emergency kit following the simple steps at http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/emergency/before/checklists/index_en.html

Ottawa EP Week Highlights

• On May 7, Ottawa will host the  12th Annual 9-1-1 Children's Achievement Awards at Ottawa City Hall from 11:00 to noon. Eleven children from our community will be recognized for their acts of bravery by using 9-1-1 service effectively in a crisis situation. 
• On May 13 and 14, students from Centre professionnel et technique Minto will be taking part in the Emergency Preparedness Survivor Challenge – organized by Conseil des écoles catholiques de l'est de l'Ontario, Emergency Management Ontario and the City of Ottawa.  Students will put their individual kits into action over a 24-hour period in a simulated F-4 tornado disaster evacuation situation. Le Centre professionel et technique Minto will be used to simulate a Red Cross emergency shelter. The students will exist on emergency preparedness kits and will receive survivor tips and encouragement from Ottawa's Emergency Management Office, first-responders, as well as other emergency relief organizations.
• On May 15 there is a Girl Guide Rally Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa celebrating the 100th anniversary of Girl Guides. More than 3,000 girls are expected to attend the Ottawa event.  Emergency Management Ontario and the City's Office of Emergency Management will be participating in the event to help the girls get their emergency preparedness badges.   To view a copy of the Ottawa schedule, please visit http://www.guidesontario.org/formembers/rally_day_ottawa.htm.   

In closing, if you know of a community group or association that is interested in learning more about emergency preparedness and would like to schedule an appointment, please contact me. Also, drop me a line, send me your pictures and let me know what you have done to mark EP Week!

Happy Emergency Preparedness Week

Nathalie
580-2424 ext. 28078
Nathalie.rochefort@ottawa.ca