According to Richard Miller, Scugog's fire chief, a "smattering" of responses to a survey conducted by the fire service regarding residents' preparedness in the event of an emergency situation shows, quite frankly, that folks just aren't ready for a disaster.

Of 37 responses to the survey, 27 respondents indicated they weren't suitably prepared to sustain themselves and their family for a duration of 72 hours, said the chief last Friday.

"That's a very high number," he noted.

And, on Monday, at the May 5 municipal committees meeting, he informed Scugog councillors that preliminary survey results indicate "our residents are not prepared and we need to get that message out there more and more."

The theme for this year's 'Emergency Preparedness Week', which runs May 4 to 10, is '72 Hours -- Is Your Family Prepared?'

The collective answer from Scugog just might be no, says Chief Miller, who also serves Scugog's top official on the Township's emergency municipal control group.

"Hopefully, people will get the message they have to be prepared for any emergency," said the chief. Such instances include natural disasters, like wind, rain or snow storms that could knock out power for hours or days.

In a perfect world, continued Chief Miller, each household would have ready a flashlight and radio, tuned to local radio stations CKDO (107.7) or KX96, for information and directions. As well, it's advised homeowners squirrel away plenty of canned food items and have on hand at least two litres of water, per day, per person in the residence for drinking. Additional water is also needed for washrooms.

"People have to remember (the Scugog Fire Department is) not there to give them that stuff," said the chief, stressing fire crews would most likely be busy somewhere else in the event of an emergency.

In an effort to raise awareness around the need to be prepared for an emergency situation, Scugog has set up an emergency preparedness display in the main entrance of the municipal office, 181 Perry St., and it will remain there until Friday, May 9.

As well, the Township will also set up an information kiosk at Reid's Independent Grocers on Saturday (May 10), from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit the 'Fire Department and Emergency Management' section of the Township's web site at www.scugog.ca.