During an Emergency
If you receive an emergency notification from the County 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.
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 County’s Emergency Management Agency will set up a reception centre to receive evacuees.
In an emergency, it is easy to become forgetful or panicked. Preparing your Emergency Plan and Emergency Kit ahead of time will help keep you focused and able to act quickly when an evacuation is necessary.
When to Leave
Do NOT wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. Stay tuned to the County’s social media channels, the radio or television, and follow instructions.
Develop a household/family communication and reunification plan.
If you receive an Evacuation Order, you are required to evacuate.
- Ensure you are subscribed by email or text to Rocky View County’s SAFE & SOUND alert system. Visit www.rockyview.ca/safe for details.
- Take your Evacuation Kit, plus wallet, mobile phone and charger, glasses, medications, and car/house keys.
- Ensure all members of your family are wearing appropriate clothing for the weather and protective footwear.
- Leave within the time specified by emergency personnel. It may be immediately.
- Turn off and unplug all appliances. If you’ve been instructed to do so, turn off all utilities at the main switches or valves.
- Turn off pilot lights, propane, and gas tanks.
- Turn off your water.
- Lock doors and windows.
- Leave the green flagging tape on your door if it has been provided.
- Take your pets with you, with collar and ID, leash, water, pet food, manual can opener, medications, and a current photo of your pet in case they get lost.
- Use the travel routes specified by emergency personnel. Don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- Refrain from using your telephone or cell phone, except in case of an immediate emergency. Leave the network open for emergency personnel to use.
- Register with the designated emergency reception centre, even if you are not staying at the centre; emergency responders need to know how to reach you to advise when it is safe to return. Inform the registrar at the reception centre of your medical needs.
- Stay connected by checking emergency alerts issued through SAFE & SOUND and the County’s social media channels.
- Rocky View County emergency personnel will advise you when it is safe to return to your home if you leave your contact information at the emergency reception centre or check the County’s website.
- If trapped, call 9-1-1.
Shelter-in-Place for Chemical Hazard
When disaster strikes, it may be safer to stay in your home, place of employment, or other location. Learn where to go, what to do, and how long you should shelter-in-place for the hazards in your area.
Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids, and solids that have toxic effects on people, animals, or plants.
- Go inside as quickly as possible.
- Bring any pets indoors.
- Lock all doors and windows for a better seal.
- Turn off the air conditioner or furnace, all fans, close the fireplace damper and any other place that air can come in from outside.
- Use duct tape and plastic to seal around doors and windows in the room where you take shelter.
- Listen for current emergency information and instructions from authorities.
- Do not drink water from the tap. Stored water will be safer.