The city of Guelph has a number of initiatives available for Emergency Preparedness Week.
Community management coordinator Brendan MacMullin said the city has completed a hazard identification and risk assessment in preparation for this week.
“Every year, the city does a hazard identification and risk assessment and during that, we identify the highest risks in our area,” MacMullin said.
“And we prepare our program, our emergency management program, to target those hazards.”
MacMullin added that one in-person educational session this week is business continuity for small businesses.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic has re-enforced how important it is for businesses to prepare for disruptions and emergencies, so it’ll build off what businesses have learned and it prepares them better for other hazards.
MacMullin said the city is hosting a number of initiatives this week, including a survey contest, which gives residents a chance to win a deluxe emergency preparedness kit valued at about $280.
Other sessions include family first aid, led by Guelph-Wellington Paramedics Services, and teaching children how to survive in the woods.
“We have another session on fire extinguisher awareness, teaching residents how to use a fire extinguisher, and what to do if a fire were to start on or in the stove,” he said.
- Life in the forest: How Stanley Park’s longest resident survived a changing landscape
- ‘They knew’: Victims of sexual abuse by Ontario youth leader sue Anglican Church
- Carbon rebate labelling in bank deposits fuelling confusion, minister says
- Buzz kill? Gen Z less interested in coffee than older Canadians, survey shows
The city has aligned with the province’s theme this year, “Be Ready for Anything.”
You can also watch emergency preparedness tips on Facebook and YouTube channels and attend an emergency preparedness workshop. You can learn more about the dates and times and check event listings on the Alert Guelph website.
And if you do happen to find yourself in a community emergency, MacMullin advised creating an emergency plan with your family.
“Follow the direction of emergency responders and emergency officials,” he said. “So the information provided to residents is really intended to prepare them and their properties during emergencies.”
Emergency Preparedness Week goes runs May 2-6 and an online survey is available on the city of Guelph’s website until May 7.
Comments