Get Prepared: Emergency Preparedness Week

May 3-9 is Emergency Preparedness Week

Bradfordtoday.ca
May 4, 2020
Natasha Philpott

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week, a national awareness campaign that started in 1996.

This year’s theme is “Get Prepared” and the initiative encourages all Canadians to take three simple steps to be prepared in the event of an emergency:

• Know the risks
• Make a plan
• Get an emergency kit

“We are in an emergency situation right now,” explained Bradford Fire’s Deputy Chief Olaf Lamerz, but not one that we are typically used to seeing. “The Spanish Flu was the last time we had something like this in Canada."

Lamerz says the difference between pandemic emergencies and other emergencies, like floods or tornados, is that a pandemic emergency is longer lasting.

“Because of the way it’s (the virus) come in at a manageable pace, we have for the most part been able to stay on top of it," he said.

From a ‘be prepared’ perspective, families have had to learn how to prepare for things like working from home, keeping up with children’s education and maintaining social contacts.

“We’re learning a lot of new and different things with this type of emergency, it definitely isn’t your run of the mill standard emergency like a tornado, flood or ice storm where they come in and it lasts a few days to a few weeks,” he said.

But other types of emergencies can still happen, and people should always be prepared.

“We live in a time where anything and everything can happen,” he said, anything from a roadway shutdown that can affect our food supply or a water system shutdown.

In an emergency situation, necessary items and services may not be readily available, so packing a portable emergency kit is key and should include basic supplies that can last you up to three days.

A kit should include:

• Bottled Water - up to 2L per person per day
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Radio
• Canned food items
• Can opener
• First Aid Kit - bandages, septic and pain reliever
• Prescription medication
• Medical Equipment for members
• Cash, small bills and change
• Important documents (wills, driver’s license, birth certificates, passports)
• A copy of an Emergency Plan and contact info of friends and family who may be able to help

“We encourage people to have their important documents, what we suggest to people is get a colour photo of your driver’s license,” said Lamerz.
Lamerz also recommends having spare sets of keys made up and put into the kit as well.

“Depending on how fast you have to leave the house, you may want to have a spare set for your car, house, shed or storage unit.”

“It’s always good to keep a couple things in your kit that will entertain kids, if you have the room for it like cards or travel sized games,” he recommended. Also utensils for food and batteries which can be left inside the kit for quite a while.

“Every six-12 months check your go-bag to make sure you’re ready,” he said.

Lamerz suggests using an old rollaway suitcase for your kit, for easy storage and portability.

“It’ll allow you to carry more stuff and be organized. Or packing up a few backpacks,” he said.

Having an emergency kit can help give you peace of mind in an unpredictable situation.

To learn more about Emergency Preparedness Week, check out their website https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/ep-wk/index-en.aspx or follow @Get_Prepared on Instagram and encourage others to be prepared in the event of an emergency.