Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

As Albertans and Canadians we often face a number of natural disasters in life courtesy of Mother Nature. And they come to us in many different forms, ranging from earthquakes in British Columbia, to blizzards in Nunavut, hurricanes in New Brunswick, and the odd twister right here in Alberta. But natural disasters aren’t the only types of risks out there. We also need to take into consideration the likelihood of things such as pandemics, power outages and the possibility of acts of terrorism on Canadian soil. The big underlying message in all of this is that it’s important for everyone to prepare for emergencies regardless of what form they come in. That’s what Emergency Preparedness Week 2007 (May 6 to 12) is all about. Nation-wide, Canadians are encouraged to take precautionary steps to prepare for a disaster, keeping in mind that disasters can strike at anytime, in any place. One of the keys to this heightened awareness campaign is trying to prepare the average person to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours, in the event of a large-scale emergency. It’s all part of a collective push by emergency management, including those here in the Smoky River region, to take much of the weight off of emergency responders who are trying to get aid to those who are most in need in a disaster situation. Ethel Archard, Canada Safety Council says people need to understand that it’s an ongoing process, getting ready for an emergency, adding that one of the best sources of information available on the Internet is the Emergency Preparedness website at www.epweek.ca. During an emergency, you will require some basic supplies to be self-sufficient for the minimum 72-hour period. Remember that you may need to get by without power, natural gas or tap water. Sure, you may have a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets, but are they organized and easy to find in the event of an emergency (ie., would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?) To avoid confusion during an emergency, it’s recommended that we all assemble a basic emergency kit. Keep it in a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front hall closet and make sure everyone in the household knows where to find the emergency kit. Basic items you will need to survive for 72 hours include: Water – at least two litres per person per day (include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order) Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year) Manual can opener Flashlight and batteries Candles and matches or lighter (remember to place candles in sturdy containers and to put them out before going to sleep) Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries) First aid kit Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities Extra keys for your car and house Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones A copy of your emergency plan including contact information Recommended additional kit supplies It’s also always a good idea to have extra supplies on hand such as a change of clothing and footwear for each household member, sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member, a whistle (in case you need to attract attention), garbage bags for personal sanitation, toilet paper and other personal care supplies, safety gloves, and basic tools. (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves), small fuel-driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturer’s directions and store properly). Equally important is the need to have an emergency plan which will aid you and your family in an emergency. To create an effective emergency plan, we need to think about things such as: Where the exits are from your home and neighbourhood A meeting place to reunite with family or roommates A designated person to pick up your children should you be unavailable Close-by and out-of-town contact persons Health information A place for your pet to stay The risks in your region The location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain.

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