While no one can foresee every type of emergency, it is important that we be prepared for as many scenarios as possible. The City of Westmount Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) has produced this section of the city's official Web site with a dual purpose:

The benefits of preparedness are real and significant. Apart from reducing fear and anxiety, knowing how to behave during an emergency and having the right supplies on hand could make a difference to your safety, your financial losses, and perhaps even your survival.

Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year, causing damage and having lasting effects on people and property. Governments and relief organizations will always intervene to help, but it is vital that individuals, families and communities be ready as well. Severe conditions might prevent emergency personnel from reaching you quickly, or their efforts might be needed somewhere else first.

Preparing means understanding what type of disaster could occur in your area and what the best response is to each one. It also means being ready to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days in terms of shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation.

This section will help you prepare for emergencies by describing the types of disasters that could affect Westmount and what to do before, during and after they happen. It contains advice and checklists of the food, equipment and other supplies that you and your family will want to have on hand if the unpredictable happens. The rest is up to you.

As the 1998 ice storm taught us, city-wide emergencies can happen, and the better prepared we are in advance, the easier it will be to cope with the challenges and stress of the situation if and when it does occur.

We hope you find this section useful and we encourage you to share the information with your family. We would also welcome any feedback you might have. Please click here to access our feedback form.