What We Do

Our public health team includes inspectors, nurses, and other staff who: 

• Find things in our environment that could be harmful to our health 
• Work with partners in the community to plan for and respond to public health emergencies 
• Teach people how to prepare for emergencies 
• Take the lead when there is a public health emergency 
• Share important health information with the community during emergencies 
• Make sure that emergency shelters are safe for people to stay in 
• Give expert advice on recovering from emergencies 

Contact us for more information. 

Who's at Risk?

Some people, like children and those with health or movement problems, may need extra help in an emergency. 

To keep yourself and your family safe, it’s important to be ready for emergencies. CK Public Health watches the environment and gets ready for hazards that could harm our health. In Chatham-Kent, common hazards include: 

• Flooding 
• Snowstorms and blizzards 
• Tornadoes 
• Extreme weather, like heat waves and cold snaps 
• Thunderstorms 
• Power outages (blackouts) 
• Disease outbreaks 
• Transportation accidents 
• Industrial accidents 

 Other rare but possible hazards include: 

• Hydrogen Sulphide 
• Nuclear incidents 

Make an Emergency Plan

Everyone needs an emergency plan. It only takes 20 minutes and can save your life. Make sure that your plan covers: 

• How to meet and contact others in your family 
• Escape routes from your home and neighbourhood 
• A safe place to meet 
• Your school and daycare emergency policies 
• Extra plans for children and people with special needs 
• What to do with pets 

Use the Emergency Preparedness Guide to make your plan. 

Make an Emergency Kit

Emergencies can create dangerous conditions and overwhelm emergency services. First responders may not be able to reach you for the first 72 hours. It is important that you have some basic supplies to keep yourself safe until help arrives. 

A basic emergency kit should have: 

• Water to drink – you’ll need at least 2 litres per person per day 
• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods 
• A manual can opener 
• A wind-up radio so you can get important information 
• A wind-up or battery-operated flashlight with extra batteries 
• A first aid kit 
• Matches or a lighter 
• Extra keys for your car and your home 
• Cash or traveler's cheques 
• Important family documents, like identification, insurance and bank records 

Recover Safely

Emergencies can be very scary and traumatic. They can have lasting effects on physical and mental health. When homes are damaged, some people may need to relocate. Get help if you need it: 

• CK Homeless Response Line: 519.354.6628, for help finding emergency housing during a crisis
• Mental Health Crisis Line: 1.888.531.2600, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

If you have questions, contact us for more information. A public health inspector will follow up with you Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.