Cobourg declares Emergency Preparedness Week

By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg council has declared the week of May 1 to 7 Emergency Preparedness week in the Town of Cobourg.

This national-awareness initiative has taken place annually since 1996 as a collaborative event undertaken by provincial and territorial emergency-management organizations, with a view to supporting activities at the local level in concert with Public Safety Canada.

Canadians are urged to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies.

Know the risks. Knowing the risks specific to your community and region can help you prepare.

Make a plan. This will help you and your family know what to do.

Get an emergency kit. Gather some basic supplies to help your family in the event that they must be self-sufficient in an emergency – potentially without power or tap water – for at least 72 hours.

“National disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face,” Cobourg Emergency Planner Shannon Murphy said in the announcement.

To help residents take concrete action to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families in emergency situations, Murphy will be available to share information and public education during Emergency Preparedness Week at several locations.

May 4 – from 1 to 4 p.m. in the grand hall at the Cobourg Community Centre

May 5 – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby at Victoria Hall

May 6 – from 10 a.m. to noon at the regular Boomers and Beyond 55+ event in the Rotary Room at the Cobourg Public Library.

As a special initiative in support of Emergency Preparedness Week, the town has developed a Flood Reduction and Prevention Guide with helpful tips and information on how you can protect your home and family in case of this costly and dangerous natural disaster. This guide is available at all three locations, and also on the municipal website at www.Cobourg.ca.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family, visit www.GetPrepared.ca

And to learn about the town's Emergency Preparedness Program and for tools to keep you informed and connected in case of emergency, visit the town website's Emergency Planning page.