Emergency Preparedness Week - Know the risks and what to do

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place each year during the first full week of May and is an opportunity for Calgarians to prepare for possible hazards and emergencies.

May to September is the time of year we can see extreme spring and summer weather events in our city, including summer storms, flooding and extreme heat. With COVID still a risk and flood season around the corner, there is no better time to become educated and prepared for any emergency or disaster.

“For over a year we’ve been responding to a global pandemic, but our work to prepare for other risks has never stopped. In fact, it’s more important than ever,” says Chief Sue Henry of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency. She added “Among other things, dealing with this pandemic has been a learning opportunity on the importance of emergency preparedness. Calgarians have had to adapt to so many changes and challenges, all while dealing with stress, worry, grief and uncertainty. Taking steps to prepare for an emergency, like creating an emergency action plan in your home and thinking about how you could safely evacuate during COVID, is one way you can ensure you are prepared.”

Every emergency is different but having a plan will help you and your family know what to do and who to contact in different situations. One easy first step is to follow The City of Calgary’s social media posts this week to learn about the common hazards we experience during the spring and summer months. We also encourage Calgarians to visit calgary.ca/getready, and download the Emergency Action Plan, available for free and translated into different languages.