Emergency Alerts and Public Information

In the event of a threatening, imminent or actual emergency situation, the following methods will provide you with updates and information that you will need to keep you and your family safe.

www.halton.ca/beprepared

 

To obtain information about the emergency status of Halton and its local Municipalities, always check www.halton.ca/beprepared.

When this alert box is ‘green’, it indicates that the Region is operating at normal status, i.e., there are no significant events currently taking place within any of the Local Municipalities.

Yellow’ indicates a warning where a significant incident has occurred or is imminent within Halton Region and where response activities may have been initiated.

Red’ indicates that an emergency has been declared by one of the Local Municipalities or the Region. In both situations, more information would be provided about the warning or declared emergency, including what residents need to do.

Get more information on emergencies and emergency declarations.

Community Emergency Notification Service (CENS)

Halton Region’s CENS is an emergency telephone notification service. In the event of a major disaster or catastrophe, CENS will phone affected households throughout Halton. This service will only call WhitePages™ phone numbers. It is tested annually.

It will communicate updates about:

  • Emergency conditions
  • What to do
  • Where to go
  • Other vital information

Note: This service supplements other methods of notification and will not be used alone to notify residents about an emergency.

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Social Media: Twitter

Social Media: Halton Region Emergency Management's Official Twitter page is @BPreparedHalton External Link. Halton Region will only Tweet or “Re-Tweet” information about Local Emergencies once we have verified its accuracy and obtained consent from the Local Municipality where the emergency is occurring. Halton Region will communicate information using @BPreparedHalton in emergency situations requiring the use of regional services (e.g., evacuation centres, significant failure of water infrastructure). @BPreparedHalton will post emergency information related to Emergency Alerts and Emergency Declarations. During an emergency, the @BPreparedHalton account will be monitored and updated as required. From time to time, we may post general information and tips on emergency preparedness.

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Media Partners

Halton residents wishing to keep informed during an emergency should monitor the following media and their respective websites: 

 

Media outlets that provide services to Halton’s diverse communities will be requested to provide emergency information in languages other than English.

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Weather Watches and Warnings

 

For weather watches and warnings in your area, please visit one of the following sites:
Note the difference between a watch and warning (as defined by Environment Canada)
  • Watch: An alert that weather conditions are favourable for a storm or sever weather, which could cause safety concerns.
  • Warning: An urgent message that severe weather is either occurring or will occur (usually issued 6 - 24 hours in advance though some severe weather can occur rapidly, such as thunderstorms and tornadoes, with less than a half hour's notice).
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Traveller's Information

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Media Inquiry Centre

Depending on the nature and scope of the emergency, a primary media information centre will be established at the following location:

  • Halton Room - Regional Municipality of Halton Headquarters
    1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON L6M 3L1
    view map
    external link

If appropriate, a secondary media inquiry centre will be established near the emergency site.

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Citizen Inquiry Centre

Halton Region will establish a citizen inquiry centre to answer telephone inquiries from the public if the emergency situation warrants. The number for the Halton Region Citizen Inquiry Centre is:

  • 905-825-6000
  • 311
  • TTY: 905-827-9833
  • Toll Free: 1-866-442-5866

The Citizen Inquiry Centre will arrange for translation services for those individuals seeking emergency information who do not speak English.

The Citizen Inquiry Centre will also record all offers of assistance to aid in emergency response and recovery activities and forward this information to the appropriate Regional personnel.

Emergency information will also be provided on this website.

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Family/Friends Information Centre

  • Should an emergency event occur that results in significant injuries or fatalities, the RPIC will provide notice regarding the location of a Family/Friends Information Centre.
  • Family and friends of emergency victims will be briefed at the Centre.
  • Where appropriate, crisis councillors and mental health professionals will be available to speak with grieving individuals.

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Media Conferences

Media conferences will be conducted at the following location:

  • Halton Region Council Chambers - Regional Municipality of Halton Headquarters
    1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON L6M 3L1
    view map
    external link

The Regional Public Information Coordinator (LINK) will advise the media of the date and time of all media conferences.

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On-Scene Media Information

  • The On-scene Media Coordinator will establish an on-scene Media Information Centre in a location near the emergency site as appropriate.
  • The On-scene Media Coordinator will continually liaise with the RPIC to ensure that all information released through the On-scene Media Information Centre is consistent with information being issued from the primary Media Information Centre.
  • When appropriate, media photograph sessions at the scene will be conducted and on-scene interviews with emergency services personnel will be arranged.
  • The On-scene Media Coordinator will only respond to inquiries from the media that pertain to the emergency site. All other inquiries will be redirected to the RPIC.

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Halton Region appreciates the efforts of our media partners in helping to keep Halton residents informed during emergencies.