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Emergency Preparedness Week 2026: Working Together to Be Ready 

Details: Published: Friday, 01 May 2026 14:39

Emergency Preparedness Week kicks off May 3, 2026, and Lunenburg County REMO is encouraging residents to take simple steps now to be ready for emergencies that can happen in any season. 

From wildfires and floods to storms, drought, and extended power outages, our region is no stranger to emergencies. While municipalities and first responders work together to manage these situations, residents also play an important role in preparing themselves and their families. 

One Team Supporting Many Communities 

Lunenburg County REMO (Regional Emergency Management Organization) brings municipalities across Lunenburg County together through a shared REMO Manager and Emergency Readiness Coordinator. This collaborative approach ensures municipalities can work efficiently and support one another when an emergency occurs. 

Participating municipalities include: 

Municipality of the District of Lunenburg

Town of Bridgewater

Town of Lunenburg

Town of Mahone Bay

Municipality of the District of Chester

By working as one coordinated team, municipalities can respond more effectively during emergencies and ensure residents receive clear, consistent information. 

Municipal staff across Lunenburg County take part in ongoing emergency training and follow Incident Command System (ICS) standards, a common response framework used across Canada. This helps ensure clear communication, shared roles, and faster decision‑making when emergencies happen. 

Lunenburg County REMO also works closely with the Province through Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office (EMO). During large or complex emergencies, this coordination helps connect local response efforts with provincial resources, expertise, and supports, ensuring communities get the assistance they need as situations evolve. 

Why Emergency Preparedness Matters 

We are already in wildfire season, and recent years have shown how floods, drought, storms, and power outages can affect daily life. During an emergency, help may not be immediate and residents may need to care for themselves and their families for the first 72 hours. 

Taking steps now having a basic emergency plan and supplies can reduce stress and help households stay safe while emergency services respond. 

Learn, Prepare, and Win During Emergency Preparedness Week 

During Emergency Preparedness Week, Lunenburg County REMO is sharing helpful information and offering opportunities to learn, connect, and win prizes. 

Visit Your Municipal Office 

Residents are encouraged to visit their local municipal office to pick up emergency preparedness information they can use at home. While there, fill out a ballot for a chance to win a 72‑hour emergency kit. 

Follow Lunenburg County REMO on Facebook 

Emergency preparedness tips, reminders, and local updates will be shared throughout the week on the Lunenburg County REMO Facebook page. 

By liking, following, and sharing the page, residents can: 

Learn easy preparedness tips

Help friends and family stay informed

Receive another chance to win a prize

https://www.facebook.com/LunenburgREMO

Visit Community Partners 

Local businesses are also supporting Emergency Preparedness Week by sharing information and donating prizes. 

Castle Building Supplies is giving you a chance to win a generator

Fastening House Atlantic is offering a battery backup system you can win May 7 during their Milwaukee tool demo day.

Each business has donated their prizes, and residents can enter to win by filling out a ballot during a visit. 

How Residents Can Prepare 

Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. Even small steps can make a big difference: 

Know how you will receive emergency information

Have food, water, and medications for at least 72 hours

Make a plan for pets and livestock

Check in on neighbours who may need extra support

When residents are prepared, emergency responders can focus on the most urgent needs, helping communities recover more quickly. 

Learn More 

Emergency preparedness information and resources are available year‑round at: 

https://www.lunenburgremo.ca  

Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder that while municipalities are ready to respond, preparedness starts at home. By working together, Lunenburg County can be ready whatever comes our way. 

Home Generators: What You Need To Know

Details: Published: Tuesday, 18 November 2025 09:07

Home generators are great backup power sources during outages – but they also pose safety risks. Understanding how to purchase, install, and operate them correctly is key.
Here’s what you need to know about generator safety:

Purchasing
Choose a generator that can supply more power than the combined wattage of the appliances you plan to run, including their startup surge. If you’re unsure how much power you need, check the labels of your appliances or ask an electrician for help.

Risks: If your generator is too small, it can overload, shut down, blow a fuse, or overheat which could start a fire.

Installing

Set up your generator outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and death. Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces like garages or basements. Install CO detectors in your home for added protection. Place your generator on a dry surface under an open canopy to protect it from moisture.

Risks: CO poisoning can kill within minutes if a generator runs in an enclosed area. Electrocution can occur if the generator or cords become wet.

Operating

Gas powered generators just need fuel to run. Use only the fuel type recommended by the manufacturer, and store it in an approved container outdoors, away from flames or heat sources. Once running, plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord in good condition, with all three prongs intact. Turn off the generator and let it cool completely before refueling.

If you prefer to power your home electrical system directly, hire a qualified electrician to install a transfer switch with the required permits and inspections. Never plug the generator into a wall outlet—this “backfeeding” is illegal and can be deadly to power technicians.

Risks: Spilled or improperly stored fuel can ignite, as can refueling a hot generator. Damaged or undersized cords can overheat and cause fires. Backfeeding can electrocute utility workers or neighbours connected to the same transformer.

Home Generator Safety Summary

To prevent electrocution, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning:

✅ ALWAYS use one that can handle more power than all appliances you plan to run.
✅ ALWAYS operate outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, in a dry, open shelter.
✅ ALWAYS ensure you have working carbon monoxide detectors inside your home.
✅ ALWAYS turn off generators and let them cool completely before refueling.
✅ ALWAYS have home connection installed by a qualified electrician.

⚠️ NEVER use generators indoors or in enclosed spaces like garages or basements.
⚠️ NEVER store fuel inside living spaces or near open flames or appliances.
⚠️ NEVER use damaged or undersized cords, or cords meant only for indoor use.

Wildfire Safety

Details: Published: Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:46

The Nova Scotia wildfire season begins on March 15 and runs until October 15 each year.

During wildfire season, at 2 p.m. each day the provincial “Burnsafe” map gets updated with any burn restrictions that are in place. Visit https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe to see if it is safe to burn!

The map legend categories include:

Grey/White: There is NO domestic brush burning or campfires permitted in Nova Scotia between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., except Industrial permits.

Green: It is okay to burn after 2 p.m. and have the fire out by 8 a.m.

Yellow: It is okay to burn after 7 p.m. and have the fire out by 8 a.m.

Red: No burning at all.

The restrictions are put in place for the safety of the public. Burning is typically only permitted when fire risk is low. It’s safest to burn in the evenings and after/during rain events as temperatures are lower, humidity is higher, and winds tend to be calmer.

If you see someone burning when they are not supposed to be or see a wildfire, please report it to either 1-800-565-2224 or 911.

It is also important to check the municipal bylaws as your municipality may have additional burning restrictions. For example, municipal restrictions may include the time of day that burning is permitted or the type of burning appliance that is permitted.

With the active wildfire season in Nova Scotia last year, you should prepare your family and property for wildfire conditions. If your property is surrounded by brush, grassland or forest, follow these tips to prepare:

• Prepare an emergency kit – examples can be found here.

• Check for and remove fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried-out branches, leaves, and debris. Visit firesmartcanada.ca for more info.

• Have an escape plan so all members of the family know how to get out of the house quickly and safely.

• Have an emergency plan so family members can contact each other in case they are separated during an evacuation.

• If you are on a farm, sheltering livestock may be the wrong thing to do because a wildfire could trap animals inside. Leaving animals unsheltered is preferable or, if time and personal safety permits, evacuation away from the danger zone should be considered.

If you see a fire approaching your home or community, report it immediately by dialing 9-1-1.

If it is safe, and there is time before the fire arrives, you should take the following action:

• Close all windows and doors in the house.

• Cover vents, windows, and other openings of the house with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood.

• Park your car, positioned forward out of the driveway. Keep car windows closed and have your valuables already packed in your car.

• Turn off propane or natural gas. Move any propane barbeques into the open, away from structures.

• Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage, and yard.

• Put lawn sprinklers on the roof of the house and turn on the water.

• Move all combustibles away from the house, including firewood and lawn furniture.

• Evacuate your family and pets to a safe location.

• Stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information on the fire and possible road closures.

The best way to recover from an emergency, is through insurance

Details: Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:59

In the case of a house fire, wildfire, car accident, or hurricane, insurance is the best way to recover following unexpected events.

Whether you are a homeowner, business, tenant, landlord, or recreational owner you can suffer devastating losses due to an emergency. Insurance isn’t meant to cover predictable events like regular home maintenance, it is there to help you cope with the financial burden of unpredictable events that are sudden and accidental.

Some insurance tips:

Not all policies are equal. Coverage options vary, some may be less expensive however compare the policies to ensure your property is adequately covered.
If you are evacuated from your home and need to stay at a hotel and get food and clothes, most insurance policies provide Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage that can assist with these additional costs. Ask your insurance company in advance what they need when you file a claim. Do they need receipts that you must keep throughout the year, a video of your belongings and property, and replacement items purchased for reimbursement? Knowing this in advance helps prepare for a claim.
Review your insurance at least annually or anytime you make a substantial change to your property, like a renovation. This helps ensure you have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for your home, business, and family needs.
Some coverages like sewer backup and overland flood are optional; check your policy or speak with your insurance rep if you want to add these to your policy.
Keep copies of your policies and insurance company claims contact information in your emergency kit.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has information on home, auto, and business insurance. Contact IBC at 1-844-227-5422 or visit Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Definitions of common types of insurance:

Homeowner

Covers the dwelling, outbuildings, contents, and personal liability of your family. Consider the rebuilding costs, replacement value over the years, and coverage for all your belongings.

Businesses

Protects you from losses that may pose a significant threat to your business operations. There are many different factors to consider for businesses such as coverage, deductibles, and policy limits.

Tenants

Covers the cost to replace your belongings due to theft, fire, or water damage after a loss. The landlord insures the building, you insure your belongings. Insurance also protects you if someone gets hurt or someone else’s property is damaged because of your negligence.

Landlords

Landlord insurance can help cover the cost of damage to your property as well as replace rental income.

Recreational Owners

Seasonal or secondary property insurance is different than home insurance. Seasonal properties are primarily used for recreation at certain times of the year. Don’t forget to consider the sheds, boats, and recreational vehicles as well.

To learn more about insurance go to Review Your Insurance and Know Your Policy.

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