The Stoughton EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) includes members of the Town and RM Councils, local emergency services, and community volunteers. This board maintains and, when needed, activates the Basic Emergency Plan, which guides emergency response for Stoughton, the RM of Tecumseh, and the Villages of Forget and Heward. While the plan cannot prevent emergencies, it ensures a prompt, coordinated response to reduce harm, suffering, and property damage.

Where to start

Resident Emergency Preparedness Checklist:

 ✔ Sign up for emergency notifications: Register with the Town of Stoughton or the R.M. of Tecumseh for their notification program, and consider downloading SaskAlert for province-wide alerts. SaskAlert is Saskatchewan’s emergency alert system that provides real-time information to stay informed about emergencies in your area. Alerts will keep you informed. The Town of Stoughton has certified staff who can issue alerts through SaskAlert. Critical alerts can also be on sent on the T.V. and Radio.

✔ Know your evacuation centres: Familiarize yourself with the designated locations in Stoughton, Heward, and Forget so you know where to go if an evacuation is ordered.

Evacuation Centres:

✔ Make an emergency plan: Decide how your household will communicate, where you’ll meet, and what essentials you’ll take if you need to leave quickly.

✔ Prepare for personal support needs: If you or someone in your home may need extra help during an emergency, plan ahead—and inform your municipal office so support can be arranged when needed.

✔ Keep basic supplies ready: Have essentials like water, food, flashlights, medications, and important documents stored and easy to grab.

How is a Local Emergency determined?

A local emergency is determined when a 911 call leads to an incident that exceeds normal emergency response capacity or poses a major risk to the public. In these cases, the Incident Commander notifies the Local Authority, CAOs, and EMO Coordinators. If a formal declaration is needed, the SPSA, affected residents, the Emergency Operations Centre, and the media are informed.

Emergency Quick Reference Guide

Shelter-in-Place Order

  • Stay indoors until officials say it is safe to leave.
  • Go inside immediately and close all windows and doors.
  • Shut off fans, furnaces, and air conditioners.
  • Move to an interior room away from windows.
  • Keep your phone charged and follow updates from local authorities.

Evacuation Order

  • Leave the area immediately and follow designated routes.
  • Take essentials only: medications, important documents, phone/charger, clothing, and any required supplies.
  • Help neighbours who may need assistance if you can do so safely.
  • Go to the nearest evacuation centre or a safe pre-arranged location.

Winter Storm

  • Prepare to stay inside and possibly lose power.
  • Stay indoors and keep warm.
  • Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
  • Have flashlights, blankets, water, and non-perishable food on hand.
  • Keep devices charged and listen for updates.

Tornado or Plough Wind

  • Take immediate shelter.
  • Go to the lowest level of your home (basement if available).
  • If no basement, move to a small interior room away from windows (bathroom, hallway, closet).
  • Cover yourself with a mattress or blankets to protect from debris.
  • Avoid vehicles, large open rooms, and windows.
  • Remain sheltered until the warning has ended

 

Additional information for a multitude of Emergencies can be found here:  Emergency Response Procedures

Emergency Kit Essentials

Bottled Water. Each person in your household should have two litres of water per day. It’s important to remain hydrated. For cooking and cleaning purposes, allot an additional two litres of water per person.

Food. It’s important your emergency kit has food that won’t spoil. Canned food, energy bars and dried foods will do the trick. Remember to replace the food once a year. A manual can opener should also be included to open canned food items, as well as a few utensils. Eat your perishables first, if confronting an extended power outage, you should eat the food that is in your refrigerator and freezer first. After this, move on to any fruit and breads, which normally only last a week or two before spoiling. Eat medium term food next, these include boxed meals and pastas which have a typical shelf life of 3 months to 2 years.

Flashlight and extra batteries. Since natural light will be your only source of light, flashlights are crucial. Make sure you have extra batteries on hand too.

Candles and matches/lighter. Make sure candles are in sturdy holders and do not burn candles unattended.

Battery-powered or crank radio. Radios keep you updated and in the loop in terms of what’s going on in your area.

Basic hand tools. Tools such as a hammer, scissors, screwdrivers, pliers and a pocketknife are good to have on hand. You never know when you might need to use them. Have a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if necessary.

Sleeping bag or warm blankets. It’s important to stay warm and toasty, and if you’re without heat your home will get chilly fast. Make sure there is a sleeping bag for each person in the household or have a stash of extra blankets on hand.

First aid kit. In case of any accidents or injuries that take place during the power outage, make sure you’ve got a well-stocked first aid kit ready.

Special need items. This includes prescription medications and infant formula, in case you don’t have access to a pharmacy or grocery store and run out.

Toiletries & Supplies. Items such as toilet paper, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer and other personal items should be included in the emergency kit. Garbage bags, duct tape and dust masks are also beneficial.

Small change. Keep some money in your kit (change and small bills are best).

Whistle. To attract attention.

 

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
  • Replace expired items as needed.
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Emergency Preparedness at Home

You can find a fillable Emergency Preparedness Plan to include in your kit here: Emergency Preparedness Plan

Bonus: Create an Emergency Car kit

10 Tips & Tricks

When an emergency situation requires that you remain at home, whether it’s due to a blizzard, a summer heat wave or an extended power outage, here is a list of tips and tricks to help you stay safe

  1. Choose a safe, central room.
    Whether it’s extreme cold or heat, gather your family in one shared space. It helps conserve warmth in winter and keeps everyone together for cooling strategies or safety checks in summer.
  2. Create a sheltered indoor space.
    Use tents, blankets, or makeshift shelters to retain heat in winter—or to provide shade and airflow barriers during extreme heat.
  3. Have alternative light sources.
    Use flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, or even DIY options like crayon-candles in a pinch. Never leave open flames unattended.
  4. Use solar lights creatively.
    Bring garden solar lights indoors during outages. Recharge them outside or in sunny windows during the day and use them at night.
  5. Keep heat or cooling packs handy.
    Store hand warmers for cold weather and instant cold packs or damp cloths for extreme heat.
  6. Be alert for carbon monoxide or poor air quality.
    Never use grills, portable generators, or gas stoves indoors. In summer smoke or poor air quality events, keep windows closed and use air purifiers if available.
  7. Protect electronics from damage.
    Unplug sensitive devices during storms or outages to prevent damage from power surges when power returns.
  8. Know your exits and safety features.
    Learn how to manually open your garage door, locate emergency shut-offs, and keep exits clear in case you need to leave quickly.
  9. Have a Family Communication Plan.
    Know how you’ll contact each other if separated during storms, outages, or evacuations. Pick a meeting place and an out-of-town contact if cell service is limited.
  10. Know your home systems.
    Learn where to shut off water to prevent winter pipe bursts or summer flooding issues. Know how to turn off your power, water, or gas safely if instructed.

 

 

Contact Us:

Town of StoughtonR.M. of Tecumseh
Village of HewardVillage of Forget