The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is committed to protecting the people of our community during emergencies. While our members are trained and ready to respond to a wide range of situations, community safety is most effective when everyone takes steps to be prepared. By staying informed, planning ahead, and knowing what to do in a crisis, we can work together to safeguard residents of, and visitors to, Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
- Severe weather (storms, heat waves, etc.)
- Flooding
- Landslides
- Wildfires
- Industrial & transportation incidents
- House fires
- Pandemics / infectious disease
- Drinking water contamination
- Power outages and blackouts
Click here to learn more about different emergencies and how to be prepared for each.
The Government of Canada website offers a tool to create an emergency plan online, as well as download/print your plan.
It takes approximately 20 minutes to create an emergency plan. Before starting, you will need to think about:
- Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
- Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
- Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
- Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
- Health and insurance information
- Places for your pet to stay
- Risks in your region
- Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain
The government of Ontario also offers an online tool to make an emergency preparedness action plan. Click here to access this tool.
Make preparations before an emergency to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days. This allows emergency workers to focus on people who require urgent assistance. Assemble an emergency kit that contains items to help you cope for a minimum of three days during an emergency. Store the items in backpacks, duffel bags or luggage so you can easily take the kit with you in case you need to evacuate. Keep it in a cool, dry area of your home. Ensure that every household member knows where the emergency kit is located.
Check your kits at least once each year.
Basic emergency kit checklist:
- Water — two litres of water per person per day (include small bottles)
- Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace once a year)
- Manual can opener
- Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
- Wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
- First aid kit
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Cash, travellers' cheques and change
- Important family documents such as identification, insurance and bank records
- Emergency plan — include a copy in your kit as well as contact information
Consider these additional emergency kit supplies:
- Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
- Candles and matches or lighter (place in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
- Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and garbage bags
- Prepaid phone card, mobile phone charger
- Pet food and supplies
- Infant formula, baby food and supplies
- Activities for children like books, puzzles or toys
- Prescription medications, medical equipment
- Utensils, plates and cups
- Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
- Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife)
- Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
- Whistle (to attract attention)
- Duct tape
Emergency Car Kit
- Food (that won't spoil, such as energy bars)
- Water (in plastic bottles so they won't break if frozen (change every six months))
- Blanket
- Extra clothing and shoes
- First aid kit
- Seatbelt cutter
- Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- Wind-up flashlight
- Whistle
- Roadmaps
- Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents
- Sand, salt or cat litter (non clumping)
- Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Warning light or road flares
In the event of a threatening, or actual emergency situation officials will do their best to keep the community informed, you can find out information from the following sources:
Emergency Preparedness (SaultSteMarie.ca)
- Find local information about emergency alerts and public information, emergency response documents, and more.
Be prepared for an emergency (Ontario.ca)
- Learn how you can be prepared for emergencies by making an emergency plan and kit.
Ensure everyone’s safety during an emergency (Ontario.ca)
- Learn how to be prepared for an emergency to ensure the safety of children, people with disabilities, seniors and pets.
Emergency preparedness guide for people with disabilities (Ontario.ca)
- Use this guide to help you be prepared for an emergency if you or members of your household include people with disabilities.
Downloadable Resource
Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
