Taking action so that you, your family and community members are prepared for any size or type of emergency is critical.
From May 2 to 7, the City of London and London's Emergency Management Partners are using National Emergency Preparedness Week as an opportunity to encourage Londoners to plan and take action to better protect themselves and their families during emergencies.
Emergency Preparedness Week, a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996, is a collaborative event with provincial and territorial emergency management organizations supporting activities at the local level, together with Public Safety Canada and partners. This year’s “Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for Anything” theme is about individuals and families being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, like flooding, a pandemic or cyber attacks, before they happen.
“Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility,” says Deputy Mayor, Josh Morgan. “Each of us has a role to play to reduce the risks we face during an emergency by learning what these risks are; understanding how to prepare for them; and making plans to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe, based on advice from the experts.”
Knowing our community’s unique risks, being prepared with an emergency plan, and having an emergency kit ready will help to ensure Londoners are prepared during an emergency.
Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen London’s resilient emergency preparedness and the efforts of the community in being prepared for emergencies.
“Londoners can have confidence that the City is coordinated and responding proactively to the ever-changing circumstances of COVID-19. It is what we do,” says Dave O’Brien, Director, Emergency Management and Security Services. “Together, London’s emergency management partners, health officials, first responders and community partners are prepared to assist residents during all types of emergencies, including extreme weather, floods, power outages and utility disruptions, fires and health emergencies.”
Community Open House
Residents are invited to join the City of London’s Emergency Management Partners on Saturday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Centre located at 275 Boler Road for our Emergency Preparedness Week Community Open House. Residents will have the chance to learn more about emergency preparedness, visit with some of the City’s first responders, see the workings of various safety equipment and vehicles and enjoy some refreshments.
“This is an opportunity for residents and their families to meet some of the individuals and teams who keep our city safe during an emergency, learn more about what it means to be a first responder and take part in some fun activities,” says Henry Klausnitzer, Manager, Emergency Operations Centre, City of London. “This is a great event for the whole family.”
Alert London Emergency Notification Test
Londoners can stay informed by signing up for the City of London’s public alerting system, Alert London. The system will issue a test alert on Tuesday, May 3 at 10:55 a.m., to Londoners who have signed up to receive alerts, as well as any phone numbers listed in the White and Yellow Pages.
During a major crisis such as a large-scale flood, City of London officials will send warnings and instructions directly through text or call, depending on the contact information provided during Alert London registration. Londoners can register a home, place of work or children’s school, ensuring you are informed should an emergency take place in that area. Sign up to receive Alert London notifications.
Visit the City’s emergency preparedness web page for emergency preparedness tips. Londoners are also reminded to check their emergency kits and replace any items that may be expiring, such as food or medication.