Is Windsor prepared for an emergency?

 

Emergency planners suggest homeowners have a plan in place in case of a large-scale catastrophic event.

Emergencies can be considered anything from severe weather to lockdowns. Residents should be always have a plan in place according to the City of Windsor website.

In a city like Windsor, which has a population of about 336,000, it may be difficult to notify everyone at once. This is where the use of social media would be helpful. Most response teams, on Windsor Fire and Rescue and the Windsor Police Department have social media accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter to alert, the population when a catastrophic event takes place.

Windsor Fire Chief Fire Prevention Officer John Lee said the emergency team would send out notifications in the case of an emergency.

“It depends on what the emergency is and what the scale of the emergency is, so we’re not relying solely on social media,” said Lee. “We do Twitter. The city also has a Facebook account I deal directly with corporate communications so if there is going to be a media release or a media event, myself and Jason Moore from corporate communications will liaise together. It depends on the scale of the event who is going to be speaking. If it is a fire specific event it’s me, if, let’s say a tornado or a flood or something it probably will be the mayor who speaks but that won’t be arranged through corporate communications and we work together.”

Windsor does not have a mass notification system, that would notify the population in case of an event such as a tornado.

“We have put proposals to council for the last three years to try and get one in. We haven’t tendered it, but we have vendors who are available who can provide it but that’s up to council to approve it. It’s fairly costly, it’s an annual cost, it’s not a one-shot deal, ” said Lee.“It is essentially like a reverse 911. So, if there is an event in the municipality, I live in I’ll get a text on my phone and I’ll also get a message on my email. So sign up with the municipality and when notification goes out it’s a blast like the Amber Alerts are and that’s how they are done.”

The City of Windsor has an emergency preparedness guide on www.WindsorFire.com. The guide was developed by Emergency Planning Officer Emily Bertram and details what people need to know about emergencies, such as severe weather, developing a family plan and how to be alert ready.

Bertram said it is important to have the 72-hour kit nearby. She suggests keeping it in a spot where you will remember to find it in case of an emergency.

“In an emergency, having that all in one place can really come in handy so that would be so the biggest thing people should do is get that 72-hour kit,” said Bertram.

The 72-hour kit should contain the important amenities like food and water to last 72 hours. This kit is to be used in an emergency and there are various other kits for cars and pet emergencies as well.