To the Editor:
According to recent polling by the Canadian Red Cross, nearly one in 10 Canadians have been subject to an evacuation order due to a disaster. Disasters can strike at any time, without warning. This week is Emergency Preparedness week, sponsored by Stantec in Saskatchewan, an annual awareness campaign to encourage Canadians to be better prepared to deal with disasters and emergencies.
We urge Canadians to know the risks and find out what disasters they are most likely to experience where they live. Contact your local authorities or your local Red Cross branch and ask questions, take notes, and know what to do.
More than a quarter of Canadians who say they haven't taken steps to prepare in the event of a disaster say it's because they do not believe one will happen in their area. This is despite the fact that every province and territory in Canada experienced disasters last year. The Canadian Red Cross responded to more than 2,300 separate disasters across the country, including everything from house fires to wildfires, floods, landslides, hurricanes and power outages.
Canadians need to be aware that an emergency doesn't necessarily mean something like Hurricane Sandy. For instance, just over 40 per cent of Canadians say they have experienced a loss of electricity for more than 72 hours. This is the most commonly reported disaster experienced by Canadians.
In addition to knowing the risks, the Red Cross recommends Canadians make a plan, and build or buy an emergency preparedness kit. Canadians should be prepared to care for themselves and their families for a minimum of 72 hours in a disaster, or up to two weeks in a health emergency.
The Canadian Red Cross supports national and local health authorities with emergency preparedness and response activities. In the event of a large health emergency or pandemic, the Canadian Red Cross is ready to provide support to communities based on agreements with various public authorities and the current needs. This may include supporting public messaging on prevention and preparedness or providing direct support to Canadians who are unable to leave their homes during the emergency.
For more information on how to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones during an emergency, visit www.redcross.ca/prepare.
Dave Kyba, Response/Planning Disaster Management Co-ordinator for the Red Cross, SK.
