Emergency Services

Every household needs an emergency plan.

A plan helps you and your family know what to do in an emergency. Your family may not be together when a disaster occurs, so plan how to meet up with or contact one another. Discuss what you would do in different situations. 

Create and print a fillable plan for you and your family.

72-Hour Kit Checklist

• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio and batteries or crank radio
• Spare batteries
• Family first aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Extra car keys and cash (small bills and change!)
• Important papers (identification)
• Clothing and footwear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Toilet paper and other personal items
• Medication, spare glasses, aids
• Whistle (to attract attention if needed)
• Playing cards, games, toys
• Manual can opener, bottle opener
• Map of the area
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting
• Baby supplies/diapers
• Pocket knife or multi-use tool
• Container, backpack or bag for your kit
• Cook stove and fuel (follow manufacturers instructions and never use indoors)
• Water – at least 4L per person per day (2L for drinking, 2L for food preparation, hygiene or dishwashing)
• Food for 3 days (choose ready to eat foods that your family likes that do not require refrigeration)

Car Emergency Kit

• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio and batteries or crank radio
• Spare batteries
• Vehicle first aid kit, safety seatbelt cutter
• Candles & matches/lighter
• Booster cables, tow chain/rope
• Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
• Tire pump/inflator and tire gauge
• Gas container, vehicle fluids
• Survival blankets & hot packs
• Loud whistle, emergency/help sign
• Emergency food & water
• Emergency flares and safety triangle
• Shovel, multi tool, snow brush/scraper
• Sand, salt or kitty litter, traction mats
• Compass, road maps

Seniors’ Emergency Kit

• Medic alert bracelet and identification
• List of medication, prescriptions, allergies and special food requirements
• Service animal emergency kit, mobility support requirements

Special Needs Emergency Kit

• Set up a support network with family, friends and an out-of-town contact
• Extra, spare assistive devices, hearing aids, glasses, personal amplifier
• Alternative/back up plan on any life sustaining equipment or apparatus
• Medical testing equipment (kits) supply of testing strips, record book, alarms
• Think of any special needs someone in your family might have, and include any other items that your family would need. Some suggestions include:
• Babies/Toddlers - Diapers, bottled milk, extra cloths, formula and food, toys, crayons and paper
• Other Family Members - keep at least one week’s supply of medication in your emergency kit and include extra eyeglasses, spare batteries for medical appliances and an extra oxygen cylinder if needed. Include copies of prescriptions for your medicine and glasses.

Pet Emergency Kit

• Include a 3-day supply of pet food & water
• Bowls
• Medications
• Paper towels
• Can opener
• Blanket
• Small toys
• Sturdy leash, harness, collar
• Cat litter pan, plastic bags
• Carrier for transportation, crate
• Medical vaccination records, current photo
• Up-to-date ID tag, copy of license, muzzle if required

Other Tips

• Pack the contents of your kit in an easy-to-carry bag or a case with wheels
• Store your kit in a place that is easy to reach, and ensure that everyone in your family knows where it is
• 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.

Shelter-in-place refers to the practice of remaining indoors during the release of airborne dangerous goods or other noxious air pollutants, as opposed to evacuation of the area.

Things to do

• Go indoors and stay there.
• Close all outside doors and every door inside the building.
• Close all windows.
• Do not use the bathroom vents or kitchen vents.
• Set thermostats so air conditioners, furnaces and hot water heaters will not come on.
• Do not use fireplaces and close all dampers.
• Do no operate clothes dryer.
• Shelter in a room away from windows and doors if possible.
• Reduce or avoid smoking as it contaminates the air.
• Do not leave the building until told to do so.
• Stay tuned to local television or radio for information.
• Do not use the telephone; you may tie up phone lines.

For added protection

• Seal the cracks around the doorway with wide tape and a rolled-up damp towel at the floor space.
• If there is a window, tape a piece of plastic over the window to seal it.
• Be prepared ahead of time by cutting a piece of plastic to the window size and store it and some tape in your shelter in place room. It is imperative that you stay indoors, especially if you see a cloud, vapor, or smoke. You will be safer inside.

The siren is tested on the 1st Saturday of each month at 12:00pm.

If you hear this siren at any other time, day or night, it is to notify you to shelter-in-place.

Shut your windows and remain indoors. Do not leave your home until you hear the siren go off again, after a specified period of time, or until you are contacted by emergency personnel or municipal staff.

Registration is FREE, simple and anonymous by using one of the following methods:

• Download and install the "Voyent Alert!" app from the apple app or google play stores
• Register online to receive email, voice or text-based alerts.

For more information visit the Alert Ready Website and find out if your device is compatible

Call 211 or go to the Ontario 211 website for information or referral to:

• Abuse/Assault
• Community Programs
• Disabilities
• Emergency/Crisis
• Employment/Training
• Family Services
• Food
• Francophones
• Government/Legal
• Health Care
• Homelessness
• Housing
• Income Support
• Indigenous Peoples
• LGBTQ+
• Mental health/Addictions
• Newcomers
• Older Adults
• Youth

In the event of a declared emergency in the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich information on where to go and what to do will be made available through 2-1-1. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will they tell anyone about my call?

A: No – your call to 211 will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

Q:My parents don’t speak English. Can they still use the service?

A: Yes – They can answer your questions in over 150 languages. If one of their own staff does not speak your language, they will bring a professional interpreter onto the call free of charge.

Q: I am hearing-impaired. Can I use 211’s phone service?

A: Of course you can – the TTY line is 1-888-340-1001.

Q: What happens if they can’t answer my question?

A: Their certified information and referral specialists can usually provide answers during your call. Occasionally they may need to do additional research and will call you back as soon as possible.

Hospitals

London

St. Joseph’s Hospital, 268 Grosvenor St, London ON N6A 4V2

519-646-6100

University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd, London ON N6A 5A5

519-685-8500

Victoria Hospital, 8000 Commissioners Rd E, London ON N6A 5W9

519-685-8500

Newbury

Four Counties Health Services, 1824 Concession Dr, Newbury ON N0L 1Z0

519-693-4441

St.Thomas

Elgin-St. Thomas General Hospital, 189 Elm St, St. Thomas ON N5R 5C4

519-631-2030

Strathroy

Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, 395 Carrie St, Strathroy ON N7G 3J4

519-245-1550

Dutton, 11167 Currie Road

519-762-2833

St. Thomas, 42696 John Wise Line

519-631-2920

Glencoe, 157 Water Street

519-287-2620

Strathroy, 28444 Centre Road

519-245-2323

Petrolia, 4224 Oil Heritage Road

519-882-1011

Chatham-Kent - 535 Park Ave. East

519-352-1122

TTY Number

1-888-310-1133

London

601 Dundas St, London ON N6B 1X1

519-661-8477 or toll free 1-800-222-8477

St. Thomas

45 Caso Crossing, St. Thomas ON N5P 1E7

519-631-8477 or toll free 1-800-222-8477

Victim Services Elgin

146 Centre St, St. Thomas ON N5R 3A3

519-631-3182

Anova Women’s Helpline

519-642-3000

Abused Women’s Helpline Elgin County

1-800-265-4305

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868

Marine & Air Search & Rescue

1-800-267-7270

Youth Crisis Line

519-660-4357

ConnexOntario - Addiction, Mental Health & Problem Gambling Treatment Services

1-800-565-8603

Family & Children’s Services of St. Thomas & Elgin

410 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas ON N5R 3C7

519-631-1570 or toll free 1-800-260-6960

Elgin County Social Services

450 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1

519-631-1570

Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Treatment Centre

519-646-6100 x. 64224

Sexual Assault Centre Crisis Line

519-438-2272

Hydro One Networks

1-888-664-9376

Entegrus

1-866-666-7566

Enbridge / Union Gas

1-888-774-3111

CAA-AAA Auto Club & Travel Agency

1-800-222-4357

Poison Information Centre

1-800-268-9017