Tornado simulation part of York Region's emergency preparedness training

You can do your part by preparing a personal emergency plan and 72-hour emergency kit

Newmarkettoday.ca
February 3, 2020

York Regional Council received the Emergency Management Program Annual Compliance Review report outlining activities undertaken to ensure annual emergency compliance regulations are met and Regional staff are prepared in times of emergency.

“York Region consistently meets the annual regulatory compliance for our internal Emergency Management program while collaborating with our local cities and towns to provide necessary training and tools,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Being prepared and knowing what to do in advance of an emergency allows us to better protect the health and well-being of our residents and communities.”

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Ontario Regulation 380/04, York Region is required to create and maintain an Emergency Management Program and an Emergency Response Plan, identify critical infrastructure, conduct training and exercises and promote public awareness.

In 2019, this was achieved through:

• Simulating an F1 tornado touching down in the Region during an emergency exercise
• Updating the York Region Emergency Preparedness Guide
• Hosting Emergency Preparedness Week activities and a community open house
• Facilitating Emergency Management public education, workshops and training and education conferences

York Region also partnered with York Regional Police and the nine local cities and towns to complete the annual Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA). The top hazards identified through this exercise include: 

• Winter weather
• Electrical energy outage
• Tornado
• Infectious disease
• Extreme Heat
• Flood
• Cyber attack

“When emergencies happen they impact our residents, businesses and visitors,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow, Chair of Finance and Administration. “We continue to work together to support our communities in the event of an emergency. Residents can also do their part by preparing a personal emergency plan and 72-hour emergency kit.”

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 52,000 businesses with over 636,600 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices