RYDE RESIDENTS BOOST WINTER READINESS WITH EMERGENCY SAFETY MEASURES WORKSHOP

SUSAN KEAST  — Special to MuskokaTODAY.com

RYDE — Rural residents know the importance of safety and being prepared more than many.

Last December’s winter blast re-enforced that.

Still some were unprepared.

This year to refresh their memories the Ryde Co-op at 1624 Barkway Road hosted a well-attended Emergency Preparedness Workshop Thursday bringing together local residents eager to boost their winter readiness.

The two-hour after work session welcomed 35 residents, fostering an engaging and community-focused atmosphere with refreshments making it more casual.

Preaching to the converted. Deputy Fire Chief Todd Clapp re-enforced a message everyone here understood about being more than prepared for unforseen emergencies of all type. PHOTOS David Keast Special to MuskokaTODAY.com

With winter storms increasingly unpredictable, as demonstrated by snow and ice storms, the workshop was aimed at equipping everyone with the knowledge and tools needed to handle extended power outages, severe cold, and other weather-related emergencies.

Two expert presenters led the talks.

Todd Clapp:

Deputy Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the Town of Gravenhurst, offered a detailed look at local emergency response strategies and what households can do to stay safe when the unexpected happens.

Diane Ploss:

Lakes Sector Field Officer with Emergency Management Ontario, provided provincial insights, shared real-life stories from recent Ontario storms, and walked participants through best practices for personal and family preparedness.

Topics covered included assembling a 72-hour emergency kit, preparing homes for prolonged outages, understanding communication plans, and recognizing the signs of weather-related hazards.

  • Everyone learned where to access reliable emergency updates and how community networks, like Ryde Co-op, play an essential role in local resilience.

About 35 Ryde residents who lived through last year’s snow storm and the early ice storm attended the workshop gaining even more knowledge for the next ones.

The seminar underscored one message loudly: emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility, and taking time now to plan can make all the difference when winter weather strikes.

Residents left better informed, more confident, and equipped with practical steps to safeguard themselves and their families this season.

Susan Keast is the Senior’s Program Facilitator at the Ryde Co-op

susan.keast@rydecoop.ca

Ryde Community Co-op