Siksika Nation Launches Alberta`s First Electronic Immunization

Siksika Nation
Launches Alberta’s
First Electronic
Immunization
Information System
for First Nations
On September 14, 2011
Siksika Health Services
Launches Alberta’s First
Electronic Immunization
Information System for First
Nations at the Siksika Health
& Wellness Centre located 93
km east of Calgary off
Trans-Canada highway.
Protecting children from
vaccine preventable diseases
is a priority for First Nations
communities. The
management of health
information is a fundamental
component of effective
immunization programs
impacting the quality of client
care. The inability to manage
vaccination information
electronically has been a
major impediment to
immunization programs. Yet,
immunization records for
government.
First Nations children on
reserve are the only
paper-based vaccination
records in Alberta. This
disparity has persisted for
years. Even with current
developments in Alberta, a
solution was not expected for 3
to 5 years.
After several years of
advocating for change and
attempting to address this
issue, Siksika Nation and its
Health Partners are launching
Alberta’s first electronic
immunization information
system for First Nations.
The results will be important:
Provide safer and more
effective vaccination programs
for First Nations children;
Improve communication and
sharing of critical information
between health service
providers on and off reserve,
and
Build stronger partnerships
between First Nations and the
provincial health system and
Siksika Health Services
would like to acknowledge its
current and future
implementation partners
Siksika Nation will continue
to strive for innovation,
quality, and excellence in
First Nations health, with its
provincial, federal,
international and First
Nations partners.
For further information,
please contact Siksika Health
Services CEO, Tyler White,
403.734.5601 or
tywhite@siksikahealth.com.
Annual Siksika Community
Wellness Culture Camp
The Siksika Community Wellness Culture
Camp 2011 was once again held at Castle
Mountain. This year our camp was held on
July 25– 28, 2011 and although it rained
through most of the camp, it did not put a
damper on the event.
A huge thank you goes out to our summer
students who were instrumental to bringing
information to our participants.
Each year we attempt to bring our clients and
event participants to Castle Mountain. This
year our program offered traditional
activities, animal safety, traditional meal,
hiking, swimming, mini powwow and prayer.
This year mother nature decided to give us
rain everyday, but that did not hinder the
activities.
It was a great trip, we had Elders Margaret
Water Chief and Alma Pretty Young Man the
IRS /RHSW elder support, join us and just as
last year, they enjoyed the camping and the
activities.
This years camp was coordinated by Richard
Running Rabbit with assistance from
Michelle Strangling Wolf-Weasel Head. This
cost shared event was made possible by:
Brighter Futures, Mental Health, IRS/
RHSW, Head Start, NNADAP and
Community Health.
Siksika Community Wellness and Health
Services would like to thank our students and
volunteers: Sylvan Breaker, Katrina HewtonBackfat, Jimmy Weasel Child, Allison Duck
Chief, Erica Sitting Eagle and Fawn Hewton
Backfat for the overwhelming ideas and time
they put into making our camp a success.
Good Luck to our students in their studies!
Our Staff enjoyed the adventures we had
with all our participants and we look forward
to next years event!
The Siksika Community Wellness Culture Camp 2011 Staff and Support Staff
Coordinator: Richard Running Rabbit
Assistant:
Michelle Strangling Wolf
Facilitators: Pauline Yellow Fly
Sandra Sparvier
Leanne Sleigh
Louise Pretty Young Man
Sharon Glossop
Outside Agency Facilitators:
Robert Crow Chief
Clinton Turning Robe
Armond Duck Chief
Lori Red Crow
Cooks:
Rob Sparvier
Karia Red Gun
Rueben (Buck) Breaker
Robyn Big Snake
Students:
Sylvan Breaker
Katrina Hewton –Backfat
Jimmy Weasel Child
Allison Duck Chief
Erica Sitting Eagle
Elders:
Alma Pretty Young Man
Margaret Water Chief
Support:
Jay Many Bears
Fawn Hewton-Backfat
Security:
John Sleigh
Todd Red Old Man
If you are interested in participating in our
camp next year, please contact the Siksika
Community Wellness office at 403-734-5687
BED BUG TIP SHEET
How to avoid Spreading Bed Bugs
A bed bug infestation can happen to
anyone. When you find them in your
home, you are faced with a stressful
situation that creates a lot of extra
work and expense. It is a time when
you need the support of family and
friends, and you should not be
ashamed to tell them about it. Here
are some tips to help you avoid
spreading bed bugs and to reassure
your friends that steps can be taken to
avoid getting bed bugs in their home
too.
FACTS ABOUT BED BUGS



Bed bugs do not like the light, so
they hide in any dark place that
they can find.
Bed bugs do not fly or jump and
do not like walking on smooth
slippery surfaces or across sticky
barriers.
Bed bug eggs take approximately
ten days to hatch.
TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID
SPREADING BED BUGS TO
OTHERS
1. Wear clothes that are bed bug
free.
 Put the clothes you plan to wear in
the dryer on the hottest setting for
30 minutes. This should include
socks, coat, toque, scarf and mitts.
 When you take them out of the
dryer give them a shake to dislodge any dead bugs that may still
be clinging to your clothes. Seal
the clothes in a tightly closed plastic bag.
 Get ready to leave
 The last thing you are going to do
before you leave is get dressed.
 Put on the clothes from the plastic
bag (the dryer would have killed
any bed bugs). To avoid coming
into contact with an area infested
with bed bugs, the bathroom or
even the bathtub may be a good
place to get dressed. Bed bugs are
also easier to see on a white bathtub. In other words, get dressed in
a place that is bed bug free.
 Leave. Do not sit down; do not
brush against anything in your
home where a bed bug could be
hiding.
2. Do not allow bed bugs to hitch a
ride on your bag.
 Take everything out of your bag,
purse, backpack or briefcase.
Check everything thoroughly for
bed bugs. Throw out anything that
may hide a bed bug but that cannot be cleaned. This may include
day timers or notebooks.
 Thoroughly brush out or vacuum
your bag and/or put it in the dryer
on the hottest setting for 30 minutes. To avoid doing this every
night, do not put your bag on a
chair or on your bed.
 Store your bag where the bed bugs
are unlikely to get to it; for example, store in a sealed plastic bag. A
white bag is best because the bed
bugs are easily visible on a white
background. You can also hang
your bag in a closet but only if the
closet is not cluttered. Your bag
should not touch anything that
may hide a bed bug or allow one to
get to your bag.
3. Make sure clothes for the next day
are bed bug free.
 Take the clothes straight from the
dryer and seal them in a plastic
bag.
 When you come home put your
coat and other outerwear such as a
hat, mitts into plastic bags and
seal the bags. This will keep the
bed bugs out so you can wear it
tomorrow without having to put it
in the dryer again.
If you have any questions about
BED BUGS, please contact the
Community Health
Representatives at 403-734-5690.
Have the heating system checked by a
qualified technician before using it
again.
Duct work
Contact Siksika Housing to see if they
can assist in the cleaning and inspection of ductwork.
Gas furnaces/appliances
Do not touch any electrical fixtures or
switches. If the odour of gas is present, leave the building immediately,
leaving the doors open. Contact the
gas utility company. Do not re-enter
the building until the leak has been
repaired.
When it is safe to clean gas appliances:
Disconnect the vent connectors from
appliances and clean thoroughly.
Open the clean-out door at the base of
the chimney and clean it thoroughly,
removing mud and debris.
Remove and clean any fan assemblies
that have gotten wet. If any electric
motor has been wet, have it checked
by an electrician. It may be dangerous
to use.
Do not touch any gas controls or attempt to reconnect gas appliances.
The system must be checked by a licensed gasfitter before being put back
into service.
Have propane systems checked by a
licensed gasfitter before turning them
on.
than repair appliances.
Appliances with foam insulation, such
as ovens, refrigerators, and freezers
that were submerged in floodwater,
may have to be discarded because they
cannot be disinfected. Check with an
experienced serviceperson as to
whether or not it is possible to remove
and replace the insulation.
All lighting fixtures, which were submerged in water, should be removed,
cleaned and dried, and checked. Clean
outlet boxes, wiring and sockets but
do not remove connections or disconnect wiring. Connections in wiring
and lights and small appliances can be
wet and soggy even after the cover
tape looks dry. Be sure they are dry
before using. If you have any doubt
about appliances or wiring, contact
your electrician.
toxic.
For wooden surfaces which could be
damaged by a bleach solution - use a 5
to 10 percent borax solution with dishwashing detergent. Then next day
wash with a one (1) part vinegar to
three (3) part water solution and then
rinse.
Foods
Floodwaters carry disease from raw
sewage. The only safe flood-exposed
foods are those in sealed metal cans,
and even then, only if cans have not
been dented. Use the following procedures with foods:
Thoroughly clean all undamaged cans
before opening. Use a brush to
clean around the rims and caps.
Disinfect, rinse and dry before
storing.
Dispose of the following items:
MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY
 The contents of your freezer or reIS TURNED OFF BEFORE WORKfrigerator, if electricity has been
ING ON OUTLETS AND FIXTURES.
interrupted and contents thawed,
or if appliances have been exposed
Floor and table lamps should be comto flood waters.
pletely disassembled, cleaned and
 All exposed meats
dried thoroughly, before using.
 All exposed fresh fruits and vegeExtension cords that are not in good
tables
condition should be discarded.
 All exposed boxed foods
 All products in jars, including
Disinfectants
home preserves, cans and bottles
Household liquid chlorine bleach (5
that have been under water. The
per cent sodium hypochlorite soluarea under the seal of a jar or bottion) is an effective disinfectant for
tle cannot be adequately disinmost bacteria and fungi (like mold).
fected
Use bleach carefully and be sure you
have cross ventilation.
 Products in coolers, if the coolers
Water heaters
have been without power for four
Water heaters are insulated with glass Surfaces and structures with mold
growth
use
full
strength
household
(4) hours
fibre, which can become soggy and
bleach
and
let
it
remain
on
the
surface
All
exposed
medicines, cosmetics and
saturated under its cover if flooded. If
for
15
minutes.
other
personal
care items
the appliance can be repaired, have
For
surfaces
(not
cement),
structures,
If in doubt about any items, contact
the insulation replaced, as it is condishes, cutlery and utensils where no your local health unit.
taminated by the floodwaters.
mold is visible - use one (1) part
For more information on hazards in Albleach to three (3) parts water.
Restoring electrical appliances
If the electrical panel was submerged, Bleach can destroy organic fabrics so berta, contact Siksika Nation Emergency
Services at 403 – 734 - 3999 or Alberta
have a qualified electrician replace all do not use on silk and wool items. It
Emergency Management Agency at 780can also weaken cotton fibres so use
circuit breakers.
422-9000 (Dial 310-0000 for toll-free
with care.
All electrical appliances that got wet
access outside Edmonton) or visit
Bleach can affect the colours of many www.aema.alberta.ca
by the floodwaters should be checked
surfaces and materials. Test on a small
by an electrician before being used.
area before using.
Depending on the depth of water in
which the appliance was submerged, it Never mix bleach with ammonia. The
fumes produced together are very
may be less costly to replace rather
Are you pregnant or have just
had a baby?
You and your partner are
invited to
Prenatal/Postnatal classes.
Class 1: September 8th
Normal & Emotional Changes
Lifestyle & Common Discomforts
Class 2: September 15th
Labor & Comfort Measures
Class 3: September 22nd
Medical Options
Class 4: September 29th
C-Section
Postpartum
Newborn Characteristics
Class 5: October 6th
Newborn Care & Safety
Class 6: October 13th
Breastfeeding
*All Classes includes: Breathing/
Relaxation exercises, etc.
Additional information sessions
and classes provided:
· Cooking, Berry Picking - Jam making
· Sewing, Baby moccasins, Container gardening
· STI/Family planning, FAS,
Smoking & Drugs
A complete list of information is available in the Canada Pre/Post Natal Nutrition Program Brochure available at
the Siksika Health & Wellness Center.
If you have any questions regarding the
CPNProgram please contact Andrea
Two Horns at 403-734-5690
The
Aboriginal
Licence
Practical Nurse Program is a
brand new program held at
Old Sun College and is offered to Siksika members.
The program began, September 2008 and lasted 18
months. The Aboriginal LPN
students began their program
studies at Old Sun College.
Renovations were done to the
old museum to make room
for the LPN nursing students
home base. Old Sun college
Also, purchased high-tech
equipment to aid in the
learning process as well as to
gain skills needed.
At the start of the program,
the LPN nursing students
took part in cultural classes
taught by Marvin Wolf Leg.
This enabled to students to
meet the requirements of the
program to be considered an
Aboriginal
LPN.
Other
important
Prerequisites
needed to get into this
program are pure math 20,
bio 30 or anatomy and
physiology, and English 30-1.
Once they finished their
classroom
work,
the
Aboriginal LPN students had
the opportunity to pick three
top choices of where they
would like to be placed.
They were required to do
three clinical’s and two
practicum’s. Two of the
clinical’s were at a long term
care facility and the third is at
Rockyview
and
Peter
L ou g he e d .
F or
the i r
practicum’s, they were placed
at various hospitals and long
term settings.
The program is now completed and there are eleven
graduates who have completed the program. They all
have accomplished a lot and
Siksika should be proud of all
of them. On June 20th, 2011 the
group
had
their
convo cat ion
he l d
in
downtown Calgary and a
pinning ceremony on June
28th, 2011 at Old Sun College.
There will be a new program
starting up later this year and
more information will be
available soon.
Siksika
Health
Services
encourages
our
nation
members to pursue the field of
Medicine. This not only
includes Nursing or Medical
Doctor, we need Diagnostic
Technicians,
Pharmacists,
Therapists (Mental Health,
Physio, massage) and more.
For more information on
Medical field contact Old Sun
college.
Thurman Little Light at 18yrs
Thurman Little Light at 25yrs
Thurman Little Light today
Health Services Stampede Breakfast
FASD program Community Kitchen
Oki,
Welcome to the Siksika Community
Wellness Portion of the Siksika
Health Services Newsletter. The
summer has come to an end and we
say goodbye to our summer students! Thank you to Katrina
Hewton Backfat, Carrissa Low
Horn, Jimmy Weasel Child, Erica
Sitting Eagle and Allison Duck
Chief. We also say goodbye to
Sylvan Breaker, Leah Dempsey,
Maria Medicine Shield, Gerald
Little Light, Melissa Little Chief,
Billie Jo Black, Latisha Weasel
Head , Carrie-Ann Backfat and
Cassie Ayoungman.
Without the help from these
individuals, our summer programs
would not have been a success. Our
students assisted us with our
annual Stampede Breakfast,
coordination of the diabetes
awareness walk, our Siksika
Community Wellness Culture Camp
in Castle Mountain, our Run as One
Youth Awareness Week 2011, our
preschool screening, First Thunder
Bike Program and the Elder’s
Lodge resident fundraising and
activity program.
Some of our students were
instrumental in developing,
coordinating and implementing our
summer activities. Thank you so
much and we will miss your smiling
faces around Health Services.
Siksika Community Wellness would
like to highlight an employee that
has dedicated many years of service
to Siksika Health Services .
Mr. Thurman Little Light was hired
for Siksika Alcohol Services in May
1985 as the first Youth Counselor,
at that time the late Greg Running
Rabbit was the Director.
In 1998, Thurman was hired as an
Addictions Counselor for the Sunrise
Treatment Center in Calgary where
he worked for eight years. In January
1996, Thurman was hired on with
NNADAP and Siksika Health Services
Addictions program.
Thurman has 26 years of maintaining
an alcohol and drug free lifestyle and
encourages others to make the same
choice to choose a lifestyle free of
alcohol abuse and addictions to
chemicals prescription drugs and
other destructive lifestyles choices.
After moving to Calgary in 1986,
Thurman attended Alberta Bible
College where he studied and
completed two years working toward
his Bachelor of Religious education.
After working 26 years in the area of
addictions which has given him the
opportunity to look at his own life
and lifestyle issues, addicted to
alcohol and prescription drugs. He
had come to realize that this type of
behavior was just a symptom of
deeper issues of abandonment,
rejection which manifested as
attachment disorders, going to Nechi
Institure in 1985, 1986 gave him the
insight and courage to change and
pursue a lifestyle of sobriety and
abstinence from drugs, dealing with
lifestyle issues through counseling,
have a treatment plan seeking advice
from elders, AA sponsor, pastor,
teacher or friend.
Thurman’s wife Colleens favorite
saying is “If God can change my
Thurman he can change anyone”
Thurman’s advice to everyone is
“Choose a healthy lifestyle, change a
person, family, community, the
world! Leave a legacy of health, hope
and love for the little ones!”.
entering. Check for foundation damage and make sure all porch roofs and
overhangs have their supports intact.
If you see damage, contact Siksika
Housing.
If you see downed power lines or smell
gas, leave the building and contact
your utility company or Siksika Nation
Emergency Services.
If your basement was flooded, do not
switch on the electricity until the complete system has been checked by a
qualified electrician.
Be very careful when you enter the
building. A door sticking at the top
could mean that the ceiling is ready to
fall. If you have to force the door open,
make sure you stand outside, well
clear of any falling debris.
Look for wet plaster on the ceiling.
Knock it down with a stick before
moving around.
Use a flashlight to inspect for damage
inside the house. Do not strike a
match or use an open flame unless you
know the gas has been turned off and
the area has been ventilated.
Watch your step. The floors and stairs
can be very slippery, and silt on a
basement floor may conceal nails or
broken glass.
Open all doors and windows to dry out
the building.
Starting the clean-up
Pump out the basement when it is safe
to do so. If water has been standing
for some time, is visibly cloudy, and/
or has a foul smell, it is likely polluted
and requires urgent treatment and
removal. Pumps, wet/dry vacuums,
and dehumidifiers may be available to
rent. To hire a professional service,
look in the telephone directory Yellow
Pages under “Water Damage Restoration Services.”
Move your belongings out of the wet
area. Clean them and then spread
them out to dry.
If your home was flooded by sewage,
discard exposed carpets, clothing,
bedding and stuffed toys. Place these
items and any other items you do not
want to keep in heavy-duty garbage
bags for disposal.
Remove all mud and debris by scrap-
ing and washing with detergent, using
a stiff broom or brush. This may be
contaminated material and may need
to be properly disposed of. Follow
your municipality’s instructions for
disposal.
Never leave waste on the ground
where children are at risk and insects
or animals could pick up diseasecausing organisms.
Disinfect all walls, floors, ceilings and
fixtures after they have dried. Make
your own disinfecting solution by adding 125 millilitres (a half cup) of
household bleach to 9 litres (2 gallons)
of water or use a commercial disinfectant according to directions. Rinse
metals after washing with a chlorine
solution to prevent corrosion. Coat
cast-iron items with vegetable oil to
prevent rusting.
DO NOT use gas-powered generators,
camping stoves or charcoal barbecues
indoors. The fumes are hazardous indoors.
Water must be boiled or chlorinated
before use until flooded and contaminated wells, cisterns, dugouts and
dams have been treated and water
samples analyzed as safe by your
health unit.
Plumbing
During a flood, the water pressure in
plumbing lines can reverse, and water
in hot and cold pipes can be contaminated with floodwater. Have a
plumber inject bleach into the lines to
disinfect them.
The footing drains outside your foundations may have been overloaded or
blocked during the flooding. Have
them checked by someone trained in
plumbing and drains.
Floor drains may be partially or fully
blocked because of the flooding. Carefully flush, clean and disinfect floor
drains and sump pumps.
Wells
Wells must be thoroughly pumped out
and inflow water chlorinated. This
procedure should not be attempted on
shallow wells until at least two weeks
after floodwaters have receded. Otherwise, they may be re-contaminated by
polluted ground water.
Restoring your sewage system
A house should not be re-occupied
until satisfactory toilet facilities have
been restored. Solid or liquid wastes
must never be deposited on the
ground where insects and animals can
pick up and spread disease-causing
organisms.
Insect control
For advice on insect control, contact
Siksika Health Services or a professional pest control company.
Townsite sewers
Householders will be notified when
the townsite sewage systems has been
restored.
Yard clean-up
Follow Siksika Nations Public Works
instructions for disposal of contaminated and other materials.
Locate garbage for collection by Siksika Nation Public Works at a safe distance from the home and downgrade
of a well.
Make sure that materials, which attract insects or animals, are sealed
in animal-proof containers.
Restoring your heating system
Before starting up the heating system,
protect yourself against the hazards of
fire, suffocation and explosion. Be
careful to take all precautions to ensure the heating system is safe before
resuming use. Have it inspected by a
qualified technician.
Before lighting the furnace, examine
the inside of the combustion chamber
and clean it thoroughly.
Wash sediment from all pipes and
ducts with a hose or a swab on a long
stick. Access can usually be made
through the clean-out door above the
fire door. If the heater has a jacket,
clean between the heater and the outside casing.
Ensure that the chimney isn’t plugged.
Take the smoke pipe out of the chimney and remove any mud from the
lower part of the chimney.
Fill in any settlement next to your
house.
Redirect storm water away from your
house.
Make sure the ground slopes away
from your house on all sides.
Always keep your downspout extension in place.
Check to see that your downspout extension drains a good distance away
from your house in an area that will
not erode.
Be careful that water does not drain
into your neighbor’s property.
If your downspout is connected to the
weeping tile adjacent to your home,
disconnect it immediately.
If you are constructing a new home
and plan to build on a slab, or install a
washroom in the basement, consider
taking the necessary precautions to
prevent sewage and water from backing up into your house through the
sanitary drains.
One aspect of flood protection involves the installation of backflow
valves on toilets, floor drains, washing
machine drains, rain downspouts,
sump pumps and any sink drains in
the basement. Main sewer lines and
septic connections should also be considered. These are designed to prevent
sewage and water from backing up
through these waste lines. Some backflow valves operate automatically
while others may have to be closed by
hand. In most cases the backflow
valves may need to be installed by a
qualified plumber or contractor according to existing building codes.
To help mitigate the potential damage
to property located in your basement,
place objects on pallets if available or
something to raise the level of your
belongings off the floor surface area.
Another possibility is to bring items
up from the basement levels on to the
main or above ground floor levels.
For more information on hazards in
Alberta, contact Siksika Nation Emergency Services at 403 – 734 - 3999 or
Alberta Emergency Management
Agency at 780-422-9000 (Dial 3100000 for toll-free access outside Ed-
monton) or visit www.aema.alberta.ca
After the flood
After a flood, Siksika Nation Emergency Management will notify the
public through the media when it is
safe to return home. The following are
some important tips to help you clean
up and restore your property. If you
require more specific information on
cleanup, contact your municipal office
or your local health unit. Let your insurance agent or broker know as soon
as possible about any loss or damage.
(if applicable) If you are a tenant, inform Siksika Nation Housing about
any flood damage to the property.
Protecting your emotional health
A flood disaster is both mentally and
physically stressful. Take steps so that
you and your family maintain their
health:
Rest often and eat properly
Make a list of jobs that need to be
done and do them in the order of
priority, one at a time
Talk to others about your concerns
and don’t be afraid to ask for help
Check your newspaper and listen to
your local radio or television stations
for information and help from Siksika
Nation Emergency Services and/or
Siksika Health Services and/or Alberta Health Services on coping with
the emotional effects of a disaster.
Protecting yourself and your
family
Floodwater may be contaminated with
sewage and other contaminants, and
could pose a health hazard. Proper
clean-up is essential. Contact your
Siksika Health Services if you suspect
sewage contamination. Be sure to
comply with their recommendations
about using respirators, special clothing, or other protective measures. Do
not try to save carpets, clothing or
bedding that have been exposed to
sewage. Sewage-contaminated waste
materials should be placed in heavyduty garbage bags and tagged. Follow
your municipality’s instructions for
disposal.
Do not allow children into the house
or yard until everything has been
cleaned and disinfected. If children
must be present during clean up, supervise them closely.
Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and
eye protectors to prevent injuries.
Be vigilant about good personal hygiene, i.e., wash face and hands
with soap before eating or drinking.
Check your newspaper and listen to
your local radio or television stations for information about help
that may be provided by Siksika
Nation or the provincial government, Siksika Health and Alberta
Health Services or other agencies.
Prompt action will help to prevent
mold. Try to get all wet surfaces
clean, disinfected and dry as soon
as possible.
Cleanup priorities include:
 Removing water as soon as possible
 Clean out mud and other debris
 Discarding all materials that cannot be saved. Place them in a bag
and dispose of them according to
municipal regulations
 Wash and rinse all fabrics and furniture that will be sent out for
cleaning, then dry and take them
to the cleaners as soon as possible
Wash and rinse all surfaces, then disinfect them
Returning home
As soon as floodwaters have receded
and you have been notified that the
flood danger is over, you will want to
return to your house and start cleaning up. Do not attempt to live in the
house, however, until you take the following precautions:
Have the electric power system
checked by an electrician.
Have natural gas and propane appliances checked by a gas fitter.
The water supply has been declared
safe for drinking.
Your sanitation facilities are working.
All flood-contaminated rooms have
been cleaned and disinfected.
Entering your home
Make sure the building is safe before
Every Canadian household needs an
emergency plan. It will help you and
your family to know what to do in case
of an emergency. It will take only 20
minutes to make your plan. Disasters
often cause confusion and distress so
it is important to take the time now to
know the hazards and the risks to better prepare yourself and your family.
Emergency planning doesn’t have to
be scary. Many families feel empowered after planning, knowing they can
survive on their own. Remember to
help children feel safe when talking
about emergencies. Remind them that
someone will be there to help in an
emergency. Talk about people you can
count on such as firefighters, police,
teachers, neighbors and emergency
workers.
A good first step is to put a list of
emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell your children what each number is for. You
should also list the work and cell
phone number for each person in your
family or in your home.
What risks do we face?
Talk with your family about the different kinds of weather that can happen
where you live. For example, do you
have the risk of floods, tornadoes,
wildfires, or ice storms? Use the list
below to check off hazards that exist in
your community. This will help you
make a more specific emergency plan.
 Blackouts
 Proximity to dangerous goods
route
 Earthquakes
 Floods
 Proximity to major industrial
site
 Infectious disease outbreaks
 Severe Weather
 Landslides or avalanches
 Tornadoes
 Wild Fires
 Other:
Your household plan
Know your emergency exits. Draw up
a floor plan of your home that shows
all possible exits from each room. Plan
a main exit route and an alternate exit
route from each room. If you live in
an apartment, plan to use the stairs
instead of the elevators. If you are unable to use the stairs, notify emergency personnel ahead of time. Also,
identify an evacuation route from your
neighborhood in case you need to
leave in a hurry (and think of more
than one option).
Pick meeting places. Identify safe
places where everyone should meet if
you cannot go home or you need to
evacuate.
What is a safe meeting place near your
home?
What is a safe meeting place outside
your immediate neighborhood?
What are two evacuation routes from
your neighborhood?
Is there a friend outside your town
that could act as a liaison?
Everyone in your home should know
where to find the fire extinguisher. All
adults and older children should know
how to use it. See instructions regarding the lifetime of your fire extinguisher and check with Siksika Nation
Emergency Services for more information. (403 734 3999)
work such as water and food that
won’t spoil. You are encouraged to
have this dialogue with your employer
and colleagues on a ongoing basis.
Plan for your children
Ask your children’s school or daycare
about their emergency policies. Find
out how they will contact families during an emergency. Find out what type
of authorization the school or daycare
requires to release your children to a
designated person if you can’t pick
them up. Make sure the school or
daycare has updated contact information for parents, caregivers and designated persons.
Plan for pets
In case of an evacuation, remember
that pets are not allowed in some public shelters or hotels because of certain
health regulations. In case of an
evacuation, be prepared to leave your
pets with a relative or friend. Take
steps to identify pet-friendly hotels or
pet boarding facilities in your area
What if we have special needs?
Establish a personal support network
of friends, relatives, health-care providers, co-workers and neighbors who
understand your special needs.



Older children and adults should

know how to turn off your home’s wa- 
ter, electricity and gas. Make large,

easy-to-see signs for water and gas

shut-offs as well as for the breaker

panel or fuse box.

Teach children how and when to dial 9 
-1-1 or 734 – 9111, as well as how to

call the designated out-of-town contact.
Write down details about:
Accommodation needs
Insurance information
Allergies
Medical conditions
Emergency contacts
Medication
Family medical history
Recent vaccinations
Health screenings
Surgeries
Keep a copy of this information in
your emergency kit and give a copy to
your personal support network.
Workplace emergencies
Learn about the emergency evacuation
plans in the workplace and your role
Talk to your doctor about preparing a
in the event of an emergency. You may grab-and-go bag, if possible, with a
want to have some basic supplies at
two-week supply of medication and
medical supplies. Include prescriptions and medical documents. Remember that pharmacies may be
closed for some time, even after an
emergency is over.
Neighborhood safety plan
Work with your neighbors to identify
people who may need extra help during an emergency. To help make sure
everyone is taken care of, assign
“block buddies.”
In an emergency
Follow your emergency plan.
Get your emergency kit.
Make sure you are safe before assisting others.
Listen to the radio or television for
information from authorities. Local
officials may advise you to stay where
you are. Follow their instructions.
Stay put until all is safe or until you
are ordered to evacuate.
Overland flood notification
Alberta Environment monitors
weather patterns, precipitation and
provincial water levels and flows. They
provide comprehensive public advisories about potential flooding.
These public advisories include river
stage-up advisories, ice-jam warnings,
high streamflow advisories, flood
watches and flood warnings.
A High Streamflow Advisory means
that stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly and no major
flooding is expected. Minor flooding in
low-lying areas is possible. Anyone
situated close to the affected streams
(campers, fishermen, boaters and the
general public) is advised to us caution.
A Flood Watch means that stream levels are rising and will approach or exceed the bank. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur. Anyone situated close to the streams is
advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.
A Flood Warning means that rising
river levels will result in flooding of
areas adjacent to the affected streams.
Anyone situated close to the river
should take appropriate measures to
avoid flood damage.
For more information on hazards in
Alberta, contact Siksika Nation Emergency Services at 403 – 734 - 3999 or
Alberta Emergency Management
Agency at 780-422-9000 (Dial 3100000 for toll-free access outside Edmonton) or visit www.aema.alberta.ca
(20 centimetre) sanitary sewer can
handle wastewater from up to 500
homes; however, it takes only a few
unexpected water sources to overload
this kind of system.
How can a supercharged sanitary sewer cause basement
flooding?
A supercharged sewer flows at a
greater than normal level. Basement
flooding can occur if the home has
sanitary fixtures or floor drains below
the supercharged level.
Downspouts and roof drainage
Most homes are equipped with downspouts which discharge the water collected by eaves troughs directly into
the ground. Excess water runs into the
Flood-proofing your home
front street where it enters the storm
sewer. It is very important that this
If you experience drainage problems
water does not enter the sanitary
at your home, ensure that the source
sewer. If your downspout drains too
of flooding is not on your property.
close to the side of your house, this
Take steps to flood-proof your home.
water can drain into the sanitary
sewer through the weeping tile adjaWhat is a sanitary sewer?
A sanitary sewer is a pipe is located in cent to your house foundation.
Damage or sanitary sewer surcharging
the street and designed to transport
wastewater from your home. This con- can occur if rainwater drains too close
to your house on ground that may not
sists of water from sanitary fixtures
be tightly compacted. The excavation
and floor drains inside your house as
for your basement may have been dug
well as groundwater from weeping
a few feet wider on all sides to allow
tiles around the foundation of your
working room during construction of
home.
the basement walls. When this extra
space was backfilled, the soil may not
What is a storm sewer?
A storm sewer is a pipe, located in the have been tamped down as tightly as
the original soil, making it more likely
street, (if applicable) which is deto settle and trap surface water.
signed to carry storm-related water
Surface water soaking down to your
runoff. Storm sewers are normally
foundation can create problems: it can
much larger than sanitary sewers because they are designed to carry much damage your foundation; seep
through cracks in your basement wall,
larger amounts of flow.
causing dampness; or overload the
sanitary sewer by draining through
What causes sewer backup?
weeping tiles, causing a sewer backup.
Extra storm-related water from
sources other than wastewater and
What can I do to prevent floodgroundwater should flow into the
ing in my home?
storm sewer or soak into the ground
You may be able to do some “floodwithout entering the sanitary sewer.
proofing” tasks yourself, while other
If excess storm water does enter the
changes need a qualified contractor or
sanitary sewer system, it causes a sutradesman.
percharged sewer flow. An eight-inch