Preparing for emergencies in York Region is a shared responsibility

Yorkregion.com
May 15, 2023

Each year, Emergency Preparedness Week takes place during the first full week of May. It's a time to recognize the importance of being prepared for emergencies and keeping ourselves, our families and our communities safe.

In York Region, extreme weather events such as floods, tornadoes, power outages and winter storms are just some of the possible emergencies we face. With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of weather events, emergency preparedness has never been more important.

While some things remain out of our control, there are many actions we can take that can help us be better prepared for emergencies.

Make sure to review your family emergency plans. This could include identifying a safe place to shelter during a storm, designating a meeting spot in case of an evacuation or having a communication plan in case phone lines are down.

Emergency kits are another important item to have in your home. This should include items like non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, flashlights and batteries. It's also a good idea to have a supply of medications, cash and copies of important documents, such as passports and insurance policies.

It's important to practice these plans with your family so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Emergencies happen when least expected, and often when families are apart.

Emergency preparedness is not just the responsibility of individuals and families. It's something that businesses and communities need to prioritize. Businesses should have plans in place to ensure the safety of their employees and customers in an emergency.

In York Region, we are fortunate to have a number of resources available to help us prepare for and respond to emergencies. The York Region Emergency Management team provides information and resources to help residents and businesses prepare, while our police, firefighters and paramedics work hard to keep us safe during an emergency.

But they can’t do it alone. As residents of York Region, we all have a shared responsibility to be prepared for emergencies and to support each other in times of crisis. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community.

For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, and to access our online Emergency Preparedness Guide, visit york.ca/BePrepared.