National Emergency Preparedness Week is set for May 2 to 8, and the week is a good time for families to once again make sure they are ready if a disaster were to strike.
That was the message from Lisa Washington - Community Development Manager, with the City, when she appeared before the regular meeting of Council Monday.
“Although our current attention has been, and continues to be on responding to the COVID 19 pandemic, we still need to be prepared for weather events that are becoming a more regular occurrence each year,” she said.
That is why the week is important.
“This annual, national public awareness campaign reminds Canadians to be prepared for emergencies at all times and that, in emergencies, families should be able to survive - shelter in place - without assistance for three full days,” said Washington.
“According to Public Safety Canada, “if an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency workers some time to reachyou. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.
“However, that takes planning, which is what Emergency Preparedness is all about - being ready for nearly anything.”
To be ready; there are three steps to Emergency Preparedness: knowing the risks, making emergency plans, getting emergency kits ready.
“For the first step towards knowing the risks, you can download SaskAlert to receive alerts of emergencies happening in your location. An emergency alert issued through SaskAlert will let you know four things: what the emergency is; where it is happening; provide instructions for you to follow to stay safe, and advise you when the incident is over. The alerts are broadcast on the radio, the television, and on mobile devices,all residents need information to make decisions so, during Emergency Preparedness Week, everyone is encouraged to download the SaskAlert app on their mobile device, if they haven’t done so already,” said Washington.
The app can be found at http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/emergency/saskalert.
For the second step – making emergency plans – there is information online to help you through all that needs to be consideredin an emergency plan.
For example, by definition, emergencies happen when we don’t expect them, and often when families are not together.
“Suddenly, you need to think about kids at school or elderly parents across town,” said Washington.
“If phones don’t work, or some neighbours aren’t accessible, what will you do?
“Having discussions about “what if” scenarios helps develop emergency plans and prepare households for the unexpected.”
Emergency Preparedness Week 2021 – April 26, 2021 - Page 2of 2For the third step – making an emergency preparedness kit – there are many considerations for being safe in your home for 72 hours. How many people are in your home? Any pets? Any necessary medications/food requirements.
