‘Learn from others,’ province urges Ontarians during Emergency Preparedness Week

Given recent flooding and a boil water advisory, being prepared has never been more important. It’s timely that this is Emergency Preparedness Week.

Given recent disruptive events – Sudbury’s boil water advisory and flooding across the northeast – Emergency Preparedness Week from May 3-9 is particularly timely this year.

Most Ontarians received an emergency test alert on their cellphones on Thursday at 1:55 p.m., an event that was part of awareness week.

“Important to know what those risks are and how you would be better prepared in your home, either to be sheltered in place or if you have to get up and go, what would you be taking with you,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Emergency Preparedness Week is meant to remind everyone that emergencies could happen quickly and without warning, so being prepared is key.

Dunlop said it’s important that everyone knows potential risks within their community, that they have an emergency plan and build an emergency kit.

Emergencies can happen

“People who experience an emergency do start to realize (that an emergency) can happen,” said Mark Holzer of the Canadian Red Cross.

“That’s why sharing this messaging as broadly as we can is beneficial because, hopefully, it will have people start thinking about it and then taking those steps to become better prepared.”

Dunlop agreed, adding that experiencing an emergency such as spring flooding “better prepares you moving forward.”

“But I also want people to just be prepared and maybe learn from others and say, ‘Hey, I don’t need that to happen to me. What can I do?’”

Both Dunlop and Holzer said the week is the perfect time to create an emergency kit with enough supplies to last about three days.

Kits should include non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a First Aid Kit, bottled water, copies of important documents and anything specific to your household, including pet food or medication.

“Living through the ice storm last year in my area, I was without power for nine days,” Dunlop said.

“Little things like just having a bit of cash -- because when the hydro is out everywhere and you need to get gas for your vehicle, you have to rely on cash,” Dunlop said.

The theme for Emergency Preparedness Week is ‘Prepared Together.’

Both agreed that the key is being prepared for when an emergency happens.