Bruce Power is enhancing emergency preparedness with the rollout of an updated Community Safety Guide and the distribution of potassium iodide (KI) tablets.
The new guide, created in partnership with the Municipality of Kincardine, local counties, and health units, will be delivered to households across Grey, Bruce, and Huron counties in the coming months. The initiative also includes improvements to the ‘Be Prepared’ website, expanded public emergency notification tools, and continued KI tablet distribution within a 10-kilometre radius of the Bruce Power site.
"It’s important that Municipality of Kincardine residents and our neighbouring communities are given information they can keep handy,” said Shane Watson, community emergency management coordinator with the Municipality of Kincardine. “Being prepared for a range of potential emergencies is key. While a nuclear event is extremely unlikely, having this information all in one package alongside more likely occurrences such as severe weather helps people feel confident in knowing what to do in all situations. The comprehensive guide helps residents familiarize themselves with emergency phone numbers, create a fire escape plan, know how to deal with severe weather, and what to pack in their 72-hour emergency grab-and-go kit. Preparedness and information are paramount when it comes to emergency response.”
The Community Safety Guide provides residents with essential resources, including emergency contact numbers, guidance on creating fire escape plans, severe weather response tips, and instructions on assembling a 72-hour emergency kit. Additionally, the guide contains a voucher for residents and businesses within a 50-kilometre radius of Bruce Power to collect KI tablets from participating local pharmacies. While residents within 10 kilometres began receiving updated KI packages earlier this year, those within the extended radius can access the tablets as a precautionary measure.
“Although the need for KI tablets is extremely unlikely, ensuring they are readily available provides peace of mind,” said Jeff Steven, Bruce Power’s division manager of emergency and protective services. “We’re committed to maintaining community safety through proactive planning and preparedness. Although it’s highly unlikely that KI tablets would ever be needed, we also want to reassure people that they’re readily available within the region.”
Residents within 10 kilometres of Bruce Power will receive a mailed package containing a replacement supply of KI tablets, an updated safety guide, and instructions for safely disposing of expired tablets from 2015.
For additional information on emergency preparedness in Grey, Bruce, and Huron Counties, visit www.bepreparedgreybrucehuron.com.