Emergency Preparedness

Information & Reporting Non- Immediate Emergencies

Township of Muskoka Lakes Municipal Office - (705) 765 3156

911– Reporting of Emergencies

Note: Residents that use specialized medical equipment (i.e. O2 systems) and are without power should consider this an emergency and call 911.

Call 9-1-1 when you need help if:

• Someone is hurt;
• You see a fire or witness a crime,
• You see someone suspicious hanging around your house or neighbourhood.

When 9-1-1 is dialed in an emergency, you will be asked which service you require:

• Police
• Fire
• Ambulance

When you call 9-1-1:

• Your Name
• Telephone number you are calling from
• Your civic address
• If you call from a cell phone, give the address closest to your location (blue sign)
• Any location information that might help the responding agency to find you.
• Stay calm and describe your emergency
• Speak clearly and answer all questions

Do not hang up unless you are in danger!

For non-life threatening assistance Dial 2-1-1. A live person will be able to assist you.

Emergency Reception & Evacuation Centres

All District of Muskoka municipalities should have a standardized means by which to identify their reception centres and the services each provides. All sites have been broken down into three categories:

• Category “A” – Must have generator capability for all service, kitchen with service set, showers and a sleeping area,
• Category “B” – Must have generator capability for lights and heat with washrooms,
• Category “C” – Must be able to support short term registration of evacuee's only
• The Township of Muskoka Lakes has identified five (5) reception centres, they are as follows:
• Port Carling Community Centre – Category “A” (Primary)
• Milford Bay Community Centre – Category “A” (Secondary)
• Torrance Community Centre – Category “B”
• Raymond Community Centre – Category “B”
• Cardwell Community Centre – Category “B”
• These facilities have been identified in the emergency plan as being critical infrastructure and as such have back-up generators installed.

Note: Residents are encouraged to contact the Township Emergency Information line at

(705) 765-3156 for information regarding the activation of the reception center or any of the evacuation centres.

Residents Protecting & Preparing for Themselves

A disaster, be it natural or human-caused, could happen anytime and anywhere. If a natural disaster does strike, being prepared well in advance can make the difference between inconvenience and immense losses. A general rule of thumb used by Emergency Management Ontario is that under NORMAL circumstances an individual should be prepared to survive for the first 72 hours (3 days) of any emergency. To help you prepare the following survival kit checklist has been provided.

Emergency Survival Checklist (Three-day supply per person)

• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio and batteries or crank radio
• Spare batteries (for radio or flashlight)
• First-aid Kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Extra car keys and cash
• Important papers (identification)
• Food and bottled water
• Clothing and footwear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Toilet paper and other personal items
• Medication
• Backpack/duffel bag (to hold all of the emergency survival kit items)
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Playing cards, games

Prepare Now, Learn How

• Be Prepared at home for 72 hours
• Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
• Emergency Management Ontario
• Weather Conditions
• Electrical Safety Authority