Emergency Management

Coronavirus – COVID-19 information

The Township of Laurentian Valley is continuing to monitor the situation regarding the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with the guidance of the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada. Throughout this pandemic, the Township's goal is to safeguard the continuity of Laurentian Valley services that support the safety and well-being of our residents while ensuring the health and safety of our employees.

Residents are encouraged to follow the guidance and protocols of our local experts in Public Health. The Township is taking actions to help protect the health of our community and prevent the spread of the virus.

During these times it is important that residents ensure they are receiving the most accurate information as false information can help the virus spread. It is important to stop COVID misinformation as false information hampers public health responses, creates confusion and distrust, and ultimately makes it more difficult for people to make vital decisions about their health and safety.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information on COVID-19 in Laurentian Valley, regularly check the website and other social media messaging from the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU). The RCDHU has information on testing for COVID-19 as well as the Vaccination process.

Go to RCDHU

For additional information on COVID-19 also visit the Province of Ontario website and Government of Canada website.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Please monitor this page for updates.

Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC)

The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre is a new pandemic healthcare service to reduce the demand on Emergency Departments and provide Renfrew County residents, who do not have a family physician or cannot access their family physician, with the appropriate level of care when they have any health concern (including concerns related to COVID-19). Visit RCVTAC's website for more information or call 1-844-727-6404 and have your OHIP card ready.

Visit RCVTAC's website

Emergency preparedness for seniors and people with disabilities

If you are a Senior or a person with disabilities there are additional things to think about when preparing for an emergency.  Emergency Management Ontario has prepared some specific information geared to Seniors and People with Disabilities.  Check out the various information on the Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) website

Visit EMO's website

Guides are also available in French and over 20 other languages that you can share with people in your life who do not speak English so that you can help make sure they also understand about preparing for an emergency.

Emergency preparedness for pets

Please visit our Pet Winter + Emergency Care page for more information

Seasonal preparedness tips

Preparing an emergency kit for your car

Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold: these are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. Winter also brings an increased risk of getting stuck in your car, so dress warmly before heading out.

Follow these tips to learn about winter driving risks and prepare an emergency kit for your car.

Exercise extra caution when driving in these winter road conditions:

• Blizzards: The most dangerous of winter storms, combining falling, blowing and drifting snow, winds of at least 40 km/h, visibility less than one kilometre and temperatures below -10°C. They can last from a few hours to several days.
• Heavy snowfall: Refers to snowfalls of at least 10 centimetres in 12 hours, or at least 15 centimetres in 24 hours; accumulation may be lower in temperate climates.
• Freezing rain or drizzle: This can lead to ice storms, with ice covering roads, trees, power lines, etc.
• Cold snap: Refers to temperatures that fall rapidly over a very short period of time, causing very icy conditions.
• Winds: They create the conditions associated with blizzards, and cause blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and causing wind chill.
• Black ice: Refers to a thin layer of ice on the road that can be difficult to see or can make the road look black and shiny. The road freezes more quickly in shaded areas, on bridges and on overpasses when it is cold. These areas remain frozen long after the sun has risen.
• Slush: Wet snow can make for slushy roads. Heavy slush can build up in the wheel wells of your vehicle and can affect your ability to steer. Large trucks and buses can blow slush and snow onto your windshield, leading to a sudden loss of visibility.

Follow these tips if you are stuck in the snow:

• Try to stay calm and don't go out in the cold. Stay in your car: you will avoid getting lost and your car is a safe shelter.
• Don't tire yourself out. Shovelling in the intense cold can be deadly.
• Let in fresh air by opening a window on the side sheltered from the wind.
• Keep the engine off as much as possible. Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning and make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by snow.
• If possible, use a candle placed inside a deep can instead of the car heater to warm up.
• Turn on warning lights or set up road flares to make your car visible.
• Turn on the ceiling light; leaving your headlights or hazard lights on for too long will drain the battery.
• Move your hands, feet and arms to maintain circulation. Stay awake.
• Keep an eye out for other cars and emergency responders. Try to keep clothing dry since wet clothing can lead to a dangerous loss of body heat.

SOURCE: Public Safety Canada, in cooperation with Transport Canada.

How to prepare an emergency kit

A kit can easily be prepared by collecting certain items you already have around your house into one bag or container that is in a location that is easy to grab in case you need to leave your home in a hurry. Many of the other items you can find inexpensively at a dollar store. Emergency kits make great gifts too so you can buy or find a special carry bag or plastic storage container and then head out to a dollar store or other store to find many of the items to fill the kit.

Remember your emergency survival kit should be unique to your household and what your household needs are. For example, do you have a baby, a person with disabilities or special medical needs, do you have pets? The Office of the Fire Marshall and Emergency Management Ontario (OFMEM) website contains useful tips and information on what to do to prepare for special situations such as persons with special needs or pets. Also think about special items that would be important to you or provide comfort to your family members. Items such as: a book; small toy; colouring book and crayons; a family photo or flash drive with family photos.

Your emergency survival kit should have everything you and your family would need to be safe and take care of yourselves for at least three days immediately following an emergency.

The following list is broken down into the essentials, items you may need to meet your family's unique needs, and items to have ready in case you have to leave your home.

What to put in your survival kit - essentials

• Food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for 3 days) and a manual can opener
• Bottled water (4 litres per person for each day)
• Medication(s)
• Flashlight
• Radio (crank or battery-run)
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
• Extra car keys and cash
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
• Garbage bags

What to put in your survival kit – special considerations

• Items for babies and small children—diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, comfort items
• Prescription medication
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Pet food and supplies
• Any other items specific to your family's needs

What to put in your survival kit – extra supplies for evacuation

• Clothes, shoes
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Personal items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, other toiletries)
• Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children
• Flash drive of family photos

Prepare an emergency car kit

Always have winter safety and emergency equipment in your car. A basic car kit should contain the following:

• Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars
• Water—plastic bottles that won't break if the water freezes (replace them every six months)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing and shoes or boots
• First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
• Candle in a deep can and matches
• Wind‑up flashlight
• Whistle—in case you need to attract attention
• Roadmaps
• Copy of your emergency plan

Items to keep in your trunk:

• Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares

Other tips

• Pack the contents of your kit in an easy-to-carry bag(s) or a case on wheels.
• Store your kit in a place that is easy to reach, and ensure that everyone in your family knows where it is.
• Your kit does not have to be built overnight. Spread your shopping over a few weeks. Purchase a few items every time you go to the store.
• Your water supply is meant to cover what you would drink as well as what you might need for food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing.
• Check and refresh your kit twice a year—when the clocks shift to/from daylight savings time is a good time. Check all expiry dates and replace food and water with a fresh supply. Check batteries and replace as needed.
• Keep your cell phone or mobile device fully charged.
• Keep the gas tank in your vehicle full.

A weather radio is also a useful investment and there are many inexpensive types that do the job and can keep you aware when severe weather may occur or is about to happen.

Flooding information and resources 

A variety of resources exist through the Renfrew County & District Health Unit, the Province, Government of Canada and agencies such as the Canadian Red Cross on what to do before, after and during a flood. This includes what to do about your well and septic system, electrical safety and mental wellness.

The following are links to these other websites with information and tips related to flooding.

• RCDHU
  
• Province of Ontario 
• Canada 
• Red Cross 
• Ontario 211 or call 211

Township of Laurentian Valley flooding event response level of service policy

Township to provide sand and bags and tiered response based on the number of sandbags issued and number of properties impacted

Approach to sandbags and sand supply

The Township of Laurentian Valley will supply sand and sandbags at identified sandbag depot locations throughout the Municipality at no charge. Township Staff would ensure protection of municipal infrastructure only, and would not be responding to requests from private residents/property owners to deliver or place sandbags on private property. Township Staff would provide information on best practices to residents but would not commit Staff to complete the work. Individuals will need to make sure to arrange their own help through friends and family rather than relying on the Township to provide manpower.

Approach to sandbag disposal

Sandbag disposal would be dealt with as follows:

• When 0 to 10,000 sandbags have been placed throughout the Municipality during a flood event – Residents are responsible for placing filled sandbags at the end of their driveways for collection by Township Staff;
• When 10,001 to 25,000 sandbags have been placed throughout the Municipality during a flood event– Residents are responsible for placing filled sandbags at the end of their driveways for collection by a Contractor hired by the Township;
• When 25,001 sandbags or greater have been placed throughout the Municipality during a flood event – The Township will retain the services of a Contractor and collect sandbags from the location on properties where they have been placed.

Approach to debris management

Debris Management which includes the clean-up of materials from flood damaged buildings and structures, as well as, outside debris that has floated in as a result of flooding including trees, wood and other products, will be dealt with as follows:

• Where less than 25 properties are impacted – No special assistance from the Municipality, regular waste collection rules apply for curbside pick-up and at the OVWRC;
• Where 26 to 50 properties impacted – Special Tipping fee vouchers would be issued to residents to use at the OVWRC to waive tipping fees on loads being hauled by residents to the OVWRC;
• Where 51 to 75 properties impacted - Special Tipping fee vouchers would be issued to residents to use at the OVWRC to waive tipping fees on loads being hauled by residents to the OVWRC and one-time special curbside cleanup pick-up will be arranged with Township's collection Contractor for the affected area;
• Where 76 or more properties impacted – Temporary Debris Management Site created at George Matheson Park (or alternate location subject to MOECP approval); Special Tipping fee vouchers would be issued to residents to use at the OVWRC to waive tipping fees on loads being hauled by residents to the OVWRC and one-time special curbside cleanup collection will be arranged with Township's collection Contractor for additional areas in the Township's west end, along the Highway 148/Pembroke Street East corridor if those areas are impacted and/or any other area where there is a significant concentration of properties impacted by flooding determined based on the specific event.

Wellness Checks and emergency response to properties with flooded access

Once the access to a property/dwelling is flooded, an initial visit will be made to determine if the occupants need assistance to evacuate and then if they chose to stay they will be advised that emergency service access is compromised and that there is no guarantee that we will be able to get to them if something happens. The Township would not be able to do daily wellness checks due to the access limitations.

In an Emergency Event, the Township will be working with the Red Cross and details would be provided should that occur on how to register with the Red Cross and specific procedures. The Township is working towards a single point of registration, which we anticipate would be the Red Cross and we would be asking everyone impacted by an emergency flood event to register and also to advise when they do evacuate and/or return to their property after initially evacuating that they also notify the Township which is anticipated will be through the Red Cross.

Download a copy of this response

Sandbagging tips

To minimize flood water damage, sandbagging is one of the most versatile flood fighting tools. It is a simple, effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. Homeowners who are preparing homemade sandbags need to be aware of the proper steps to take:

• Two people should be part of the sandbagging process. It will take about one hour to fill and place 100 sandbags, giving you a 1-x-20-foot wall.
• Make sure you have enough sand, burlap or plastic bags, shovels and time to properly prepare.
• Contact your local municipality for information on obtaining sandbags.

Fill materials:

Sand is by far the easiest material for filling and shaping sandbags and becomes heavier when saturated from rain or moisture.

• In emergencies, other materials such as silt, clay, gravel or a mixture of these may be used, but none work as well as sand.
• When vehicle access is cut off to the flood site, and you have no other choice, use the back side of the levee or an adjacent field to find whatever material is available to fill sandbags.

Proper filling procedure:

• Always use gloves and avoid touching your eyes and mouth.
• Filling sandbags is normally a two- to three-person task.
• One member while crouching with feet apart and arms extended places the bottom of the empty bag on the ground.
• The opening of the bag is folded outward about 1 to 1.5 inches to form a collar and held open to allow the second team member to only fill with material approximately one-half or two-thirds full, and then fold them over and tie them at the top. This allows the bags to conform to each other and make the wall watertight.
• Don't hurry, haste can result in undue spillage and additional work.
• The third team member stockpiles or stacks the open sacks.

Proper placement:

• Remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed.
• Place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow if water is moving swiftly.
• If water is slow moving or from a body of water place bag with the sealed end towards the water.
• Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised.
• Start at approximately one foot landward from the river or levee's edge.
• For moving water, fold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. The folded end of bag should face upstream.
• Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag.
• Offset adjacent rows or layers by one-half bag length to avoid continuous joints.

See the following diagrams for quick reference on estimating quantities needed and site design to ensure safety in large operations.