Tips For Dealing With a Phone Outage

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Tips For Dealing With a Phone Outage

In today's technological world, it has become very easy for people to get help in an emergency. But what happens if something unexpected happens and there is no phone service -- how will you get help?

This is just one of the many things individuals should think about when developing an individual emergency plan.

"Although phone outages are not common, as with anything the unexpected can happen, especially during major storms or hurricanes," said Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "Dealing with a phone outage should be part of every family and business emergency plan."

If there is a phone outage, there are still a number of things that individuals can do to receive help in an emergency:

• Listen to your local radio station during outages. They have the most up-to-date information and can inform of any reception centres that may be established;
• If there is no service from your land line phone, you still may be able to call 911 from a cell phone. Keeping a cell phone charged is always a good idea. If you don't have a cell phone, find out which neighbors do. Remember: Never call 911 just to check if the system is working;
• Have a first aid kit as part of your home emergency kit;
• In any emergency it becomes important for neighbours to help neighbours. Checking on neighbours who are seniors or people who live alone is a good idea so those who may be more vulnerable do not feel as isolated without phone service;
• Know where your local police, fire or ambulance responders are located;
• If there is a telephone failure in your community, and you need an ambulance, it will be located at the local Emergency Health Services system ambulance base unless it is already committed.

"Emergency preparedness is everyone's responsibility," said Mr. Fage. "Each of us can reduce the risk we face by better understanding what could happen and learning how to better prepare our family, community and province."

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place May 2-8, with participation from every province and territory. This year's theme is Prepare Now! Learn How!

For more information on being prepared, visit the Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Organization's website at www.gov.ns.ca/emo/.