We all have a role to play in ensuring everyone stays safe in our community.
If an emergency happens in your community, it could take emergency workers some time to reach you. Emergencies may also result in loss of power or other utilities. Residents should be prepared to take care of themselves and their families for a minimum of 72 hours.
Emergency preparedness involves three basic steps:
1. Know the Risks
2. Make a Plan
3. Stay informed
1. Know the Risks
The most common emergency situations in Prince Edward Island are weather related. Residents should be prepared for extreme weather and emergencies year-round, including blizzards, ice storms, hurricanes/topical storms, flooding and storm surges.
In addition to natural disasters there are other types of risks such as power outages, industrial and/or hazardous material accidents, and major transportation accidents.
2. Make a Plan
Emergencies often happen when we don’t expect them, and having an emergency plan will save time and help you be prepared in a real-life situation.
Every household and workplace should have an emergency plan. When creating your emergency plan, it can be helpful to think about the following:
• Safe exists from your home and neighbourhood
• Meeting places to reunite with your family
• A designated person to pick up your children from school or daycare should you be unavailable
• Contact persons close-by and our-of-town
• Special health needs
• Pets’ needs
• Location of fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, and floor drain
In an emergency, you may need some basic supplies. The public is encouraged to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit and share its location with everyone in their home or business. Items should include:
• At least 2 litres of water per person, per day
• Non-perishable food and manual can opener
• A stocked First Aid Kit
• Prescription and non-prescription medication
• Formula, diapers, and other baby supplies, if needed
• Battery-powered or hand cranky-powered radio
• Battery-powered or hand crank-powered flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Blankets and change of clothing for each household member
• Candles and matches or a lighter
• Cash, in smaller bills
• A charged cell phone
• Food and medication for pets and service animals, if needed
• Tissue, toilet paper and other toiletries
3. Stay informed
Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for emergency alerts through the free Charlottetown Alert System. The public can receive emergency alerts via SMS (text message), email or phone. Sign up by visiting
charlottetown.ca and clicking on ‘Alert System’ under the Resident Services section.
In the event of an emergency, residents are encouraged to monitor official City of Charlottetown social media channels on X (Twitter) and Facebook for the latest and most up-to-date information.
Additional Resources
The province of Prince Edward Island has a helpful Emergency Preparedness Guide that includes detailed checklists and tips to be prepared in the case of an evacuation. Visit
princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/ops-preguide.pdf to download the Guide.
Visit
charlottetown.ca/contact_us for a complete list of City emergency contacts and departmental contacts during and after business hours.
Visit
getprepared.gc.ca or
princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/emergencies-and-public-safety for more suggestions on preparing for emergencies.