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Emergency Alerts and Public Information

Emergency Alerts and Public Information

Alerts

Alert Status on Halton.ca

In the event that high-level information needs to be available an alert banner will appear atop of the website.

Status colourDescription
BlueInformational update: No significant incidents taking place within the Region.
YellowCautionary alert: A significant incident has occurred or is imminent.
RedEmergency alert: Region or local municipality has declared an emergency.

Alert Ready

Halton Region can now use Alert ready to send emergency alerts directly to:

  • Television
  • Radios
  • Supported mobile devices

If dangerous conditions require you to take action, the Region can request that the Province use this system to provide you with critical and potentially life-saving information. The Province may also use the system to issue alerts about nearby hazards.

The system can provide alerts about the following types of emergencies:

  • Fire (urban, industrial, wildfire, forest fire)
  • Natural events (tornado, flood, extreme temperatures, thunderstorm, windstorm, magnetic storm, meteorite)
  • Biological (dangerous and poisonous substance, chemical substance, radiological, drinking water contamination)
  • Hazardous (explosive)
  • Environmental (air quality, falling object)
  • Terrorist (actual or implied threat)
  • Civil (civil emergency, animal danger, amber alert, 9-1-1 service)

If you receive an emergency notification through Alert Ready: stop, listen and respond as directed by the issuing authority and alert message

eCNS

Enhanced Community Notification Service (eCNS)

The Enhanced Community Notification Service (eCNS) is an emergency telephone notification service for landline phones. In the event of a major disaster or catastrophe, the service will phone affected households and businesses

It will communicate updates about:
  •  Emergency conditions
  •  What to do
  •  Where to go
  •  Other vital information

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the Enhanced Community Notification Service (eCNS)?
    • eCNS is Bell Canada’s Enhanced Community Notification Service. The service supplies telephone numbers and addresses, including unlisted and do not call numbers. Residents’ names are not included. Halton Region will use Bell Canada’s Enhanced Community Notification Service to improve the Region’s emergency notification capabilities and to accurately reach as many residents as possible.
    • eCNS complements Halton Region’s existing notification system, the Community Emergency Notification Service (CENS). In the event of an emergency, CENS will phone affected households throughout Halton. CENS is one of many ways the Region notifies the public about an emergency situation.
  • Why is Halton Region implementing this service?
    • eCNS is one of many ways the Region notifies the public about an emergency situation. With Bell’s Enhanced Community Notification Service (eCNS), the Region has access to all landline telephone numbers and addresses, including unlisted and do not call numbers. This will improve our notification capabilities and allow the Region to accurately reach as many residents as possible.
  • Does eCNS cover all telephone numbers in Halton?
    • The eCNS calling list includes telephone numbers and address information for listed and unlisted landline subscribers. This initiative has increased the reach of Halton’s existing notification service.
    • Wireless telephone numbers (cell phones), four party lines and nomadic Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services and devices for hearing-impaired users will not receive notification through eCNS. Residents in their homes who are using these other services will be notified through other communications.
  • How else will the Region communicate with residents in case of an emergency?
    • In case of an emergency, Halton Region uses a variety of tools to alert residents through Alert Ready (mobile, radio television alerts), local media (radio, television, newspapers, online news channels), the Region;s official Twitter feed (@RegionofHalton (external link)) and alerts on halton.ca.
    • In some instances, residents would be notified by police vehicle loudspeaker or emergency services personnel going door-to-door.

Regional services

During severe weather, some Regional services such as recycling and waste collection, and regional child care centres could be affected.

  • Check Halton Region’s website
  • Call 311

Social media

Halton residents with access to social media can follow Halton Region on X and Facebook.

Weather watches and warnings

Information to help you cope when a severe storm warning is in effect in Halton:

  • Check the radio, television or this page for updates, information or instructions. You can also monitor Halton’s Twitter feed @RegionofHalton (external link).
  • Call 311 if you need information about an emergency, the availability of local services, or to report damage to trees or property.
  • If you require the immediate response of police, fire and/or an ambulance or are in a life threatening situation, call 911.

Media

Keep informed during an emergency by monitoring the media and social media

School closures

During a severe storm, schools may be closed and school buses may be cancelled. Check with your local school board and monitor your local radio station.

Traveller’s information

Snow removal

Check with your local municipality for snow removal updates:

Power outage information

During severe storms, the Halton Regional Police Service frequently receives 911 calls reporting damage to trees or property. Unless the storm has caused immediate danger or risk to someone’s personal safety, call 311 rather than 911.

Stay at least 10 metres away from a fallen power line, even if it doesn't appear to be live and report it to your local utility. If you experience a power outage, contact your local utility.

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