By Johanne Vallée, president of the DCA.

The derecho that struck Dunany in 2022, the tornadoes in Harrington and Saint‑Donat this year… all these climate events remind us that emergencies are real, do exist and that we must be prepared.

Good preparation begins with a few simple actions:

• registering at your municipality’s automated call service;
• ensuring your 72‑hour emergency kit is complete;
• trimming the trees around your residence;
• downloading the government information documents explaining what to do in case of storms or other emergencies.
• acquiring a power pack if you don’t have a generator.

The difficulties recently experienced by Harrington residents clearly show how essential these precautions are. If you realize that you are not fully prepared to face climate hazards, here is a reminder of the measures to take.

1. Automated Call Service

This system allows your municipality to reach you quickly in urgent or concerning situations. Registration is done online, in just a few clicks, on your municipality’s website. Once registered, your phone number will be added to the alert list.

The name of the service varies from one municipality to another:

• Wentworth: TELMATIK
• Lachute: Automated Call System
• Gore: TELMATIK
• Brownsburg‑Chatham: Municipal Automated Call and Text Service (SOMUM)

2. The 72‑Hour Emergency Kit (and more)

Consult the Government of Canada or your provincial government’s website, as each of us should be able to meet our essential needs for three days in the event of a climate emergency. If emergency services are overwhelmed or fallen trees block roads, this kit will be extremely useful. These websites also provide valuable information to help guide and reassure us, for example, what to do during a storm.

Important references: Get prepared – Canada.ca

3. Are You a Member of Your Lake’s Support Network?

In Dunany, community spirit is a core value. The information shared with us by the Wentworth Civil Security Committee helped us create support networks for each of our lakes. These networks aim to support residents in the event of a climate emergency.

Membership is voluntary. If you are unaware of your lake’s network, speak with your neighbours, they can likely guide you.

In Conclusion

Whether you are a permanent or seasonal resident of Dunany, these recommendations also apply to the municipalities where you have a permanent residence.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.