Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere and the best defense is to be prepared. Whether an emergency occurs from human-caused, technological or natural means the City of Sault Ste. Marie has a comprehensive program in place.
Even with our City’s program in place individuals and families play a vital role in preparing for times of crisis when emergency services and other municipal resources may be strained. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. You should be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days.
Emergency Alerts and Public Info
In the event of a threatening, or actual emergency situation officials will do their best to keep the community informed, you can find out information from the following sources:
Local Media
Radio
Keep a radio on hand, especially in the event of a widespread power outage. Tune into local stations:
- Q 104.3 FM
- KISS 100.5 FM
- CBC RADIO ONE 89.5 FM
- 99.5 YES FM
- TALK RADIO 1400 AM
- BIG COUNTRY 105.5 FM
- THE BEAR 97.5 FM
Media Websites
Local news agencies including:
Weather Warning Updates
Visit the following websites for weather warning updates:
Ontario's Public Warning System
Ontario’s Emergency Public Warning System is a tool that provides timely and accurate information to Ontario residents, businesses and visitors during an emergency.
The system allows Ontarians to receive three types of warnings – Red Alerts, Emergency Information Advisories and Tornado Warnings.
For more information or to register to receive alerts go to Emergency Management Ontario.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
The Sault Ste. Marie Group of Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is composed of Amateur Radio Operators licensed by the Department of Communications and who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service duty.
Members of ARES are equipped with base, mobile or hand-held radio transceivers capable of handling local as well as long distance communications.
In the event of a loss of normal communications, ARES members with radio equipped vehicles will be dispatched throughout the City to maintain communications between emergency response agencies and assist the public in reporting matters of public safety.
Upon request, ARES members with radio equipped vehicles will be dispatched to the following buildings to provide supplemental communication:
- Police Service Headquarters – 580 Second Line East
- #1 Fire Station – 72 Tancred Street
- #2 Fire Station – 363 Second Line West
- #3 Fire Station – 100 Bennett Boulevard
- #4 Fire Station – 65 Old Garden River Road
If staffing permits, ARES members with radio equipped vehicles will be dispatched to local Mac’s convenience stores parking lots to relay information and receive requests from the general public in matters of public safety only. ARES operators will be identifiable through signs on their vehicles reading ‘911 Reporting’.
Emergency Response Documents
All municipalities are required by the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to have an Emergency Response Plan. Emergency Response Plans are general in nature and outline response and management arrangement in broad terms.
City of Sault Ste. Marie Emergency Response Plan
Emergency Management Program Committee
Municipal Emergency Control Group Concept of Operations
Additional Resources
Are you interested in learning more about how you can better prepare yourself, your family, and your coworkers for community disasters?