It's 'Emergency Preparedness Week' in Ontario, with the theme '72 Hours -- Is Your Family Prepared?'

Surveys in neighbouring Scugog Township and Canada-wide suggest most people are not ready for emergencies that might be brought about by severe weather, flooding or tornadoes.

In Scugog, Fire Chief Richard Miller said a "smattering" of responses to an emergency preparedness survey show, 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 recently.

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

An Angus Reid survey meanwhile, found three quarters of Canadians don't have a kit ready in case of disaster.

No such survey has been conducted in Uxbridge and Fire Chief Scott Richardson could not say if one will be issued. However, members of Uxbridge's fire department will be on hand at Canadian Tire Uxbridge on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer questions about emergency preparedness, said the chief.

Chief Richardson says residents should stockpile two litres of water per person, canned or dried food, a manual can opener, first aid kit, battery-powered or wind-up radio, flashlights and batteries, extra keys for car and home, cash (including change for payphones) and any prescription medication needed.

The chief is Uxbridge's Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) and noted the Bascom Street fire hall would act as a command centre in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. He said the municipality can call in help from the Region in the event of a local emergency if Uxbridge's resources become exhausted.

Township officials heard in a presentation recently from Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority that Uxbridge's downtown is in a floodplain and would be at risk in a major storm.

- with files from Chris Hall