THUNDER BAY – Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) 2015 is being recognized across Ontario May 3-9. The City of Thunder Bay encourages citizens to get involved in “Know the Risks, Reduce Them Together” – a theme that reinforces the importance of individual preparedness with the need to support community resiliency.
With recent fires on Fort William First Nation, and a history of floods in our community, being prepared for an emergency is just common sense.
Insight from recent emergencies has shown that while many are prepared for emergencies, some may not have the support or capacity to deal with emergencies for a variety of reasons.
“Our theme this year is ‘know the risks, reduce them together’ focusing on collective planning for emergencies,” said Dennis Brescacin, Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay. “Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Be Informed, Be Social, Take a Quiz, Promote EP is the focus along with being prepared in Apartments and Condominiums.”
Everyone can play a vital role in EP Week. Following are a few highlights of ways to get involved:
• Subscribe to alerts – During the 2013 Ice Storm in southern Ontario, many people relied on their mobile devices to get hydro power updates and other vital information. If you haven’t already done so, subscribe to alerts at www.emergencymanagementontario.ca and tell your family and friends about this useful tool to receive emergency notifications and preparedness messaging before and during an emergency.
• Build an Emergency Preparedness Action Plan – This online tool helps families build a customized emergency plan tailored to their needs. ‘Make a Plan’ and encourage others to do the same at www.ontario.ca/beprepared
• Test your knowledge of emergency preparedness with the EP Week quiz – This quiz contains facts and tips about how you can protect yourself before, during and after an emergency. It’s a quick and informative multiple choice quiz. Make sure you complete it and encourage others to participate.
• “Prepare Yourself” – For those active on social media, be part of the conversations to promote and support EP Week by using the hashtags #EPweek and #ONready to show how you have prepared.
• Share your stories – All Ontarians are encouraged to share their preparedness stories by posting comments, videos and pictures on social networks and to follow @ontariowarnings and @ONTsafe
