Feds kick off emergency preparedness week

The 17th annual EP Week takes place May 6-12, 2012, and the theme of this year’s event is “Make a Plan.”

“Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity for us to ensure we are prepared for any emergency situation that may occur. It is also a time for us to recognize those men and women on the front lines who work heroically to protect our families and communities from emergency situations,” said Minister Toews.

To help Canadians plan for emergencies, a redesigned GetPrepared.ca website was launched with easier navigation and new sections on preparing children for emergencies, how to plan for pets and service animals, and using technology to keep in touch during emergencies. The website allows Canadians to go online to complete and download their own family emergency plan.

Canadians are also encouraged to visit the recently-launched mobile website, m.GetPrepared.ca, which gives quick access from a mobile device on what to do during different kinds of emergencies. The website also allows users to email a custom emergency kit shopping list from their mobile device.

Also accessible from GetPrepared.ca is the Canadian Disaster Database, where Canadians can learn about risks that have affected their region since 1900 and allow them better to prepare.

EP Week is a national event coordinated by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other partners, encouraging Canadians to be ready to cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency.