Emergency Planning

The Town of Cobourg Emergency Management department works to keep residents safe and secure by coordinating with other organizations to prepare for emergencies and respond to them, when they happen. Additionally, our Emergency Planner serves the community by providing helpful resources and community education to ensure individuals and families are prepared for a variety of emergency situations. 

Personal Preparedness

In an emergency our public inquiry line will be activated. Public Inquiry number: 905-377-8696 (905-377-TOWN) This is a non-emergency number regarding town and community services. If you require immediate help, please dial 911. 

For updates and alerts on emergency and non-emergency situations sign-up for the following notification systems: 

Follow the Town of Cobourg on Facebook and Twitter 

The Town of Cobourg has introduced a new new emergency notification program called Alertable. 

The Alertable, all-in-one notification system will distribute important information from the Town of Cobourg via phone calls, text messages, app notifications and social media updates. By registering, you can ensure that you and your family will be in the know and can plan ahead during an emergency. 

Sign up for Alertable

Food and water

  • 3-5 gallons of water (4L per adult, per day)
  • Canned or freeze dried food
  • One manual can opener
  • Instant drink or juices
  • Water purifying tablets

Warmth and shelter

  • Tent/trailer or other shelter
  • Wool blend blanket or sleeping bags
  • Emergency reflective blanket
  • Lightweight stove and fuel/camp stove (to be used outdoors only)
  • Hand and body warm packs
  • Poncho (a large garbage bag can make a great rain poncho)

Tools and equipment

  • Pocket knife
  • Flashlight, lantern or candles (including windproof/waterproof matches)
  • Shovel, hatchet or axe
  • Sewing kit
  • Nylon rope and duct tape
  • Cooking utensils
  • Radio and batteries or crank radio
  • First aid kit
  • Pen/pencil and writing pad
  • Whistle to make noise with
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Water resistant duffel bag or tote in which to store everything

Special items

Keep copies of important documents and family records in a waterproof, fireproof, portable container.

  • Passports
  • Copies of health cards, driver's licences and birth certificates
  • Bank account and credit card info, a small amount of cash
  • Photos of family members in case you are separated in an emergency
  • Games and toys for kids
  • Extra keys for house and car
  • Cell phone battery charger and car adapter – keep your cell phone charged!
  • Insurance policy information
  • Shovel
  • Sand or kitty litter
  • Traction mats
  • Tow chain
  • Compass
  • Cloth or roll of toilet paper
  • Warning light or road flares
  • Extra clothing and footwear
  • Emergency food pack
  • Booster cables
  • Ice scraper and brush
  • Matches and "survival" candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat drink or use as emergency light)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Extra windshield washer fluid
  • Fuel line antifreeze
  • Road maps
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Duct tape
  • Blankets (special "survival" blankets are best)
  •  72-hour supply of food
  • Bowls
  • Can opener
  • 72-hour supply of bottled water
  • Blankets/towels (more than one in case they get soiled)
  • Small toy
  • Leash, muzzle, harness
  • Litter pan, litter, plastic bags and scooper
  • Pet carrier for transportation
  • Medical records, especially proof of vaccinations (most boarding facilities will not accept pets without proof of current vaccination records)
  • Medications and pet first aid kit
  • Current photo of pet in case it gets lost
  • Information on your pet's feeding schedule, behavioural or medical concerns and special instructions, in case you have to board your pet
  • List of boarding facilities in your area, hotels/motels that accept pets, and friends and relatives that you and your pet can stay with (pets are generally not allowed inside emergency shelters designated for people, with the exception of service animals such as guide dogs)
  • ID tag (micro-chipping is also recommended)

As a special initiative in support of Emergency Preparedness Week, the Town of Cobourg has developed a Flood Reduction and Prevention Guide. This guide provides helpful tips and information on how you can protect your family and your home in the case of this costly and dangerous natural disaster.  

FloodGuideDownload

The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act defines an Emergency as "a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise." 

The Town of Cobourg must have an Emergency Management Program. Our program includes an Emergency Management Plan that is reviewed and exercised yearly. 

Adam Bennett, Emergency Planner

Email: abennett@cobourg.ca  

Are you a local service or community group? If you are interested in learning more about how you can better prepare yourself and your family in the case of an emergency, The Town of Cobourg Emergency Planner is available to come and present to your group.  

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Sign up for Alertable

Contact the Fire Department

Cobourg Fire Department
111 Elgin St. E.
Cobourg, ON K9A 1A1
T: 905-372-9789
F: 905-372-0869

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