Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation

Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation

The City of Kawartha Lakes Emergency Plan is the foundation for provisions for the extraordinary arrangements and measures that may have to be taken to safeguard properties and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Kawartha Lakes in the event of an emergency.

The purpose of the Emergency Plan is to limit or prevent damage and destruction of property, infrastructure and the environment when faced with a major emergency situation that requires coordinated action beyond normal procedures.

Download the City of Kawartha Lakes' Emergency Plan or contact Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Headquarters at 705-324-5731 to request a hard copy or alternate format version of the plan.

Are you and your family prepared for an emergency? Everyone should know the risks, make a plan and prepare a 72-hour emergency kit. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after an emergency. Visit Emergency Management Ontario for more information and tips on emergency preparedness.

High rise building tips

Emergency Preparedness high rise handout

Winter weather tips

• Add supplies to your disaster supply kit, such as rock salt, sand and snow shovels
• Prepare your home and family
• Prepare your car
• Dress for the weather
• It is the responsibility of the homeowner to plan ahead and order fuel to get them through the winter

Severe summer weather and extreme heat tips

• Keep an eye on the weather
• Monitor the local media
• Listen to the radio
• Have a plan
• Look for safe shelter
• In case of thunder and lightning, immediately take shelter and remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last rumble
• Be aware of tornado season (April to September with peak months in June and July)

During the summer months, extreme heat can pose severe health risks. The municipality of Kawartha Lakes is committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors stay safe from the effects of extreme heat. If there is an emergency, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service will be there to help. However, the best way to ensure everyone's safety is to take precautions and learn more about heat management in Kawartha Lakes.

Visit our Extreme Heat page for more details.

Additional online resources

• Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit offers tips for before and after flooding
• Parks Canada (Trent Severn Waterway) offers water level monitoring
• Get Prepared, Government of Canada website
• Emergency Management, Government of Ontario website
• Environment Canada

After the Flood - Septic systems

Do not use the sewage system until the water level in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the surrounding area.

Be sure the septic tank's cover is secure and that inspection ports have not been blocked or damaged. Septic tank lids are that not secure can create a fatal hazard as someone could accidentally fall in.

Have your septic tank professionally inspected and serviced if you suspect damage. Signs of damage include settling over the tank area or an inability to accept water. Most septic tanks are not damaged by flooding since they are below ground and completely covered. However, septic tanks and pump chambers can fill with silt and debris, and must be professionally cleaned. If the soil absorption field is clogged with silt, a new system may have to be installed.

Only trained specialists should clean or repair septic tanks because tanks may contain dangerous gases. Contact the Building Division:
E-mail the Building division
Telephone 705-324-9411 extension 1288 for a list of septic system contractors who work in your area.

Pump the septic system as soon as possible after the flood. Be sure to pump both the tank and pump chamber. This will remove silt and debris that may have washed into the system. Do not pump the tank during flooded or saturated drainfield conditions. At best, pumping the tank is only a temporary solution. Under worst conditions, pumping it out during flooded conditions could cause the tank to float out of the ground and may damage the inlet and outlet pipes.

Do not compact the soil over the leaching bed by driving or operating equipment in the area. Saturated soil is especially susceptible to compaction, which can reduce the leaching beds ability to treat waste water and lead to system failure.  In addition, heavy equipment on the leaching bed area at this time can lead to system failure through pipe damage.  

Examine all electrical connections for damage before restoring electricity. This includes electrical connections for pumps that may be used in your septic system: a sewage grinder pump, effluent pump, or ejector pump.

Check the vegetation over your septic tank and soil absorption field. Repair erosion damage and sod or reseed areas as necessary to provide turf grass cover.

Remember: Whenever the water table is high or your sewage system is threatened by flooding there is a risk that sewage will back up into your home. The only way to prevent this backup is to relieve pressure on the system by using it less.

After the Flood - Cleaning your home, food safety, well disinfection

Visit the Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit for information about after the flood including:
-Cleaning your home after a flood

-Food safety during and after a power failure

-Flooded wells and septic systems