Emergency Preparedness

Join us for the Emergency Preparedness Week ‘at home’ challenge from May 2-8!

It’s time to recognize Emergency Preparedness Week, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events that were planned have been cancelled in order to keep everyone safe.

The good news is that there other ways we can celebrate this important week, while staying at home and sticking with those in your household!

Join us for an Emergency Preparedness ‘at home’ Challenge, running from May 2-8. New missions will be posted daily! To participate, download the free GooseChase app or visit the GooseChase website and enter game code: VJQ3QV.

Each completed mission earns you a chance to win a 72 Hour Preparedness Kit valued at $80

For more information, or if you require assistance, please email trisha.henderson@oakville.ca.

The Emergency Preparedness Challenge supports physical distancing and COVID friendly activities by providing missions that can be done at home, on your property, alone or with members of your household. 

Know the risks

Know the hazards/risks in your area and how to be prepared. In Oakville, it is important to be prepared for:

• Power outages
• Extreme weather
• Floods
• Freezing rain
• Hazardous materials incidents

Make a plan

It is important to make a plan before an emergency occurs. A plan can be completed within 15-20 minutes. Make a plan to protect your family in the event of emergency. Plan for special needs so that young children, elderly family members, and persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses are cared for during an emergency. Remember to plan for your pets, and reach out to your neighbours and anyone unable to support themselves during an emergency.

Prepare a kit

Prepare an emergency kit so you and your family are self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Take our climateXchange emergency preparedness challenge for your chance to win an emergency preparedness prize.

Alert ready

As of April 2018, in addition to television and radio announcements, Alert Ready can now send emergency alerts to your cell phone and other wireless devices. This nationwide system warns you about emergencies in your area so you can take action. Check out Alert Ready to see if your mobile device is compatible.

Are you ready for the first 72 hours?

Only you can prepare yourself, your family and your home for an emergency. Make your Family Emergency Plan.

Emergencies can happen at any time and can be most challenging when there is little or no warning. Being prepared and knowing what to do in different types of severe weather events and hazards will help you stay safe and reduce the impacts on your health and property.

Types of emergency events and extreme weather

Being prepared and knowing what to do in different types of severe weather events and hazards will help you deal with an emergency situation. Learn more about the most common types that could effect your home or business in Oakville.

Emergency events

• environmental spill
• major traffic accident
• pandemic influenza (flu)
• plane crash
• power outage
• tornado
• train derailments

Extreme weather

• drought
• extreme cold
• extreme heat/humidity/smog
• flooding
• high winds
• severe storms (blizzards, hail, ice storms, thunderstorms, etc.)
• tornado

We’re ready, too.

The Town of Oakville prepares for emergency situations so we can respond quickly to protect residents and property, keep roads clear and town services running. In the event of an emergency, we’ll keep you informed through our website, RSS feed, Twitter and Facebook.

The Town of Oakville Emergency Plan (pdf) meets the requirements set out by Emergency Management Ontario. This document is available in an alternate format upon request. Visit the accessibility page for contact details.