Emergency Preparedness Week is May 7 – 13 and there’s no better time to get prepared

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 7 – 13, 2023.  This is an annual event that takes place across Canada every May to encourage people to become better prepared for the range of disasters and emergencies that could happen in their communities.

“2023 marks ten years since the devastating southern Alberta flood that impacted our lives and our city,” says Sue Henry, Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA). “The flood is a reminder that emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere and the best time to prepare is now.”

The City is recognizing Emergency Preparedness Week with several activities and resources for Calgarians, including:

Prepare your home video series – the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) has created a video series available in multiple languages with tips and actions Calgarians can take to prepare and protect their homes in the event of an emergency.

Webinar – Are you Climate Ready? Thursday, May 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Calgarians can register for the Are you Climate Ready? webinar taking place May 11 to learn more about The City’s Climate Ready Home Program and steps to protect their homes from severe weather events. The webinar will include closed captioning and ASL interpretation.

Central Public Library Pop-up – Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Calgarians can stop by the emergency preparedness booth at the Central Public Library on May 13 to learn more about emergency preparedness, climate change in Calgary and flood preparedness.

Emergency Action Plan

Knowing what to do before, during and after a disaster strikes can go a long way in assisting you, your family and your community.

Calgarians are encouraged to download CEMA’s fillable Emergency Action Plan and personalize it with information about what to do and who to contact during an emergency. The action plan is available in multiple languages.

Resources for families

Families can learn more about local weather phenomena by making a do-it-yourself weather station. A Junior Weather Forecasters guide, resource links, pre-recorded webinar with Environment and Climate Change Canada, and weather observation sheets are all available online.  

Kids ages 7-12 can participate in Ready Squad, a free online program to learn about emergency preparedness.

All these resources and more can be accessed online at calgary.ca/getready.

Calgarians are also encouraged to follow The City’s social media channels during Emergency Preparedness Week for more information about activities taking place and helpful tips to get prepared for emergencies and disasters.

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