PUBLIC EDUCATION

Every municipality is vulnerable to emergencies.  In December 2003, Waterloo Region completed a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.  This process identified risks and determined which ones are specific to Waterloo Region, based on the likelihood of the risk occurring and the severity of impact to safety/security and property.    

Risk = probability x impact

Waterloo Region's top 10 risks:

• Drought
• Chemical Spills - Industrial Accidents
• Health Emergencies
• Energy Emergencies
• Chemical Spills - Rail or Road
• Extreme Air Pollution
• Cold Weather Emergencies - including Blizzards, Extreme Cold, Ice/Sleet Storms and Winter Storms
• Warm Weather Emergencies - including, Fog, Severe Thunder and Lightning Storms, Tornadoes, Windstorms and Extreme Heat
• Air Transportation Accident
• Floods

Trained emergency service personnel are prepared to respond to emergencies in the community.  Being prepared will help reduce the impact an emergency can have on you and your family.

Do you know what you should or should not do during an emergency?  Most people are unprepared for emergencies, but you can change that.