As we go about our everyday lives, emergencies may seem like a distant possibility.
They can, however, happen anytime and anywhere.
Preparing an emergency kit, having an emergency plan and knowing the risks in the area are crucial to minimize the impact of an emergency situation.
Preparing for an emergency is important and something the whole family can do.
By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies and minimize the impact on yourselves and your families.
“Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder of the unpredictability of emergency situations and the importance of being prepared as individuals and as a community,” said Karen Lindsay, city emergency program manager. “In a disaster affecting a community, some services we take for granted might be unavailable for several days or even longer.
“Families should be prepared to take care of themselves at the very minimum for 72 hours but it is recommended people prepare for seven days.”
Celebrate Emergency Preparedness Week by making a 72-hour kit. For more information about how you can prepare for emergencies, or to read more about the City of Nanaimo emergency response and recovery plan, please visit http://fire.nanaimo.ca.
Residents will find information and links on how businesses and individuals can prepare their families and workplaces for emergencies.
In addition, people can sign up for Nanaimo’s Emergency Call Alert system. It’s free and in the event of an emergency, they will receive a phone call or e-mail notifying and providing information about the nature of the emergency.
Click on the yellow triangle at www.nanaimo.ca or sign up by calling 250-758-1311.