2013 rains moved flood risk to the forefront of local emergency planning

We’re blessed in the Sault and area by the fact we’ve never suffered earthquakes, devastating wildfires or hurricanes, but there are still plenty of other types of emergencies that could happen.

Naomi Thibault, Sault Fire Services Community Emergency Management Coordinator, relishes the task of making sure Saultites are prepared for different types of emergencies. 

Based at Sault Ste. Marie Fire Station 4 on Old Garden River Road, Naomi, chatting to SooToday, said “We’re always out speaking to the general public about emergency preparedness, reaching out to seniors, people with disabilities, families, individuals, educating them about things they need to be aware of.”

Sault Fire Service’s Community Emergency Management division officially started up in 2011, Naomi now in her fourth year of service with the emergency team.

The biggest emergency risks the Sault faces, Naomi said, are outbreaks of disease, power outages, drinking water emergencies, winter storms and flooding.

“Flooding wasn’t really on our radar, on our risk assessment list, until the floods we had in 2013, so that really brought it back to the forefront and made us reevaluate our plan.”

“We want people to have an emergency kit, we want them to have a plan. We want you to have supplies for three days, which includes food and water, medical supplies, flashlight, even a stuffed animal for kids because emergencies can be scary.”

Naomi said she feels Saultites are becoming more aware of the need to be prepared for an emergency.

“The flooding we had in Ontario, and the Fort McMurray wildfires, led to a lot of phone calls to my office. The more things that keep happening around the world and closer to home, I’ve found people continue to get more prepared. It’s pretty cool to see that.”

Emergency kits are available through the Red Cross, purchased online for as much as $70, but can also be put together by purchasing necessary items at dollar stores for a much lower cost, Naomi said.

“You can tailor it to your own needs and save some money. Most of the items are around your own house and it’s just a matter of getting it together in your own kit.”

“Community safety is a high priority for me, so if I can do something to teach someone, especially someone disabled, to put an emergency kit together, that’s really rewarding for me,” Naomi said.

Valuable emergency preparedness information for the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, such as making an emergency plan and preparing an emergency kit for people and pets, is available on the city’s website