The City of London is calling on all residents to take part in this year’s Emergency Preparedness Week, which includes a significant milestone for the city’s fire department.
During the first full week of May for the last 25 years, Public Safety Canada works closely with a number of organizations at different levels, who support activities at the local level that encourage communities to prepare themselves for emergencies.
The city is asking Londoners to get involved in this year’s campaign by understanding their personal role in preparing for an emergency.
“This year, London’s team will be focused on raising awareness of the importance of personal preparedness for every member of our community,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “Emergencies can affect all cultures, genders, and age groups. Thinking about what you would do in the event of an emergency is the first step to being prepared.”
The London Fire Department is celebrating 150 years of community service duing Emergency Preparedness Week and held its first of two events for the week on Monday.
During the first event, firefighters showed off some new tools to be used during an extrication, an important process that is often performed when an individual is trapped in a wreckage and in need medical attention.
On Tuesday, those subscribed to the city’s emergency alert program will receive a test message from the Emergency Managment Program at 1:30 p.m. The Alert London Notification System provides critical public safety messages to those that have signed up for them in the event of an emergency. All residents are encouraged to register to receive messages if they have not already done so.
Later this week, the fire department’s second event will be held on Saturday during an open house at the Byron Fire Station located at 275 Boler Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The open house will give residents an opportunity to view the inside of the city’s epicentre for emergency management during an active situation, tke part in family-oriented activites, learn how to prepare an emergency kit for your home, check out emergency vehicles and speak with first-responders.
More information about emergency preparedness can be found on the city’s website.
