Town of Didsbury

If you receive an emergency notification from the Town of Didsbury or Alberta Emergency Alert, it’s important to follow any instructions given, and to monitor additional alerts for any changes. Local officials may advise you to shelter in place, evacuate, or to simply be aware of the situation and wait for updates.

If you are instructed to shelter in place, stay in the building you are in and immediately gather everyone, including pets, in a small, interior room, on the lowest floor away from exterior doors, with no or few windows. You do not need to seal off your entire home or office building. For more details about sheltering in place, click here.

If you are asked to evacuate, you should vacate your home as advised, taking the route specified by officials. Do not return to your property until you receive instruction to do so. In the event of an evacuation, the Town of Didsbury will set up a reception centre to receive evacuees. For more details about evacuating, click here.

Didsbury could find itself in a number of different emergency scenarios, and there are specific actions you can take, depending on the situation. Below is a list of some of the more common natural disasters that may occur. Click for some guidelines around what you need to know and do for each instance:

• Blizzard/freezing rain
• Power and water outages
• Severe weather
• Thunder/lightning/hail storms
• Tornadoes
• Winter preparedness

For more information about sheltering-in-place and evacuations, refer to the Town of Didsbury Emergency Resource Guide (PDF) or visit the Provincial Emergency Preparedness website.

Emergency Reception Centres

An Emergency Reception Centre is a safe gathering place for people displaced from their homes as a result of an emergency or disaster. The initial function of the centre is to receive evacuees who have been forced from their homes as a result of an emergency or disaster. A centre is usually available for the first 72 hours following a disaster, during which evacuees should plan their next steps by contacting their insurance agents, families, and friends.

Whether or not a reception centre is opened depends on many factors including the size of the emergency and the number of volunteers or facilities available.

The Town of Didsbury has several options for Emergency Reception Centres, if needed. If you are asked to evacuate, you will also be provided with information about the location of the centre set up for your area.

What to Expect at an Emergency Reception Centre

An Emergency Reception Centre provides:

• Information about the emergency
• Assistance meeting basic needs
• Help planning recovery from the disaster

The services offered at Emergency Reception Centres vary depending on the type of emergency. Generally they will provide primary services:

• Meals if you are without food or food preparation facilities
• Clothing, blankets, and toiletries
• Temporary lodging if you are unable to find lodging for yourself
• Assistance finding and re-uniting with loved ones

Centres may also provide specialized services, depending on the need and the resources available:

• Emotional support
• First aid and other health services
• Child minding
• Transportation

Additional Resources

• Alberta Emergency Management Agency
• Alberta Health Services
• Canadian Red Cross Volunteer Program
• Salvation Army
• St. John Ambulance

The Town of Didsbury has a plan!

In case of a disaster, the Town of Didsbury has a Director of Emergency Management and two Deputy Directors. The Town participates in a Regional Emergency Management Plan, created and maintained by the Mountain View Regional Disaster Services Committee. This committee meets quarterly to discuss emergency preparedness and are ready to support one another’s communities when called upon.

The Town of Didsbury participates in regular disaster preparedness scenarios and provides training for all Town of Didsbury staff.  In addition to having an Emergency Plan, the Town of Didsbury has a separate Pandemic Preparedness Plan. This plan is put in place to ensure all essential services are maintained when we are faced with severe staff shortages.

In the event of a disaster such as a tornado, snowstorm or even a train derailment, the Town of Didsbury would like to ensure its residents are equipped with the information they need to make the right decisions.  It is important that Town residents be prepared as well by having food, heat, and shelter for at least 72 hours. 

• You may wish to create a plan for your household, using the template here
• Download your Resource Guide here, then fill in all your information and keep it in a handy spot for when you need it

For more information on Emergency Preparedness, from the Province of Alberta, visit here http://www.aema.gov.ab.ca/.

Returning Home

After an emergency, it is important to restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect your health and prevent further damage to your house, property and belongings.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, once permission has been granted to return home, consider the following measures:

• Check in and around your home for damage and ensure it is safe before entering. Contact a building inspector if there is damage.
• Check for damaged utilities. If applicable, have your power, water, and gas supplies checked by a professional before turning them back on. 
• Inform your insurance company of any damage as soon as possible and follow their instructions and advice. Photograph or video tape any damage to support insurance claims.
• Dispose of any spoiled or contaminated foods, especially after a power outage. If you’re not sure, throw it out.
• Encourage family members to talk about their experience and their feelings, especially children.
• Contact other family members to let them know that you are safe.
• Check for sewage and water line damage prior to using toilets and taps. Call a plumber if damage is suspected.

Keep all your service provider information handy so you can easily contact them when needed. Download your Resource Guide here, print it and fill in all the important contact information and then place in an easy-to-find spot so you have easy access.

For additional information, visit: Insurance Bureau of Canada Disaster Information