Be Emergency Ready This Summer
Know the Risks, Make a Plan, Get an Emergency Kit and Download the SaskAlert App
Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding announced today that Saskatchewan joins jurisdictions across Canada to proclaim May 6-12, 2018, as Emergency Preparedness Week. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Be Emergency Ready”.
“Over the last several years, our province has experienced significant emergency situations like floods, wildfires and severe weather events,” Kaeding said. “That’s why it is so important that everyone be emergency ready by following these four steps: know the risks, make an emergency plan, get an emergency kit and download the SaskAlert app.”
Commissioner of Emergency Management and Fire Safety Duane McKay agreed.
“Each one of us plays an important role in planning and responding to an emergency,” McKay said. “Your emergency kit can be stored in an easy-to-carry bag or in a case with wheels in case you need to leave your home.”
Your kit should include:
- bottled water;
- non-perishable foods and a manual can opener;
- a flashlight, radio and batteries;
- first-aid kit;
- cash;
- prescriptions, medications and medical documents; and
- important documents, such as personal identification, photographs of your family members; and up-to-date contact information.
Kaeding also urged those who haven’t already downloaded the SaskAlert app to do so.
“The program notifies residents of emergencies in their area in real time so they can take action to protect themselves, their families and their property,” Kaeding said. “As part of Emergency Preparedness Week activities, a province-wide test issued to all alerting platforms – radio, TV, text message alerts, and alerts on the SaskAlert app and website – will occur on Wednesday, May 9 at 1:55 p.m.”
If you don’t have SaskAlert on your smartphone yet, you can download the app from your phone’s app store or by visiting www.saskalert.ca.
For more information about emergency planning, visit the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness section on the province’s website at www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/disaster-prevention or the federal government’s at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/emergency-preparedness-week.html.