Sunday signalled the start of National Emergency Preparedness Week, encouraging citizens to be prepared and help keep their families safe in the event of an emergency.
In the last five years, the City of Winnipeg has trained approximately 600 people in emergency management through its Winnipeg Emergency Management (WEM) course. People with WEM training include employees from not only the city, but staff from community partners such as Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, local Universities, and various non-government agencies.
“We need to be able to look after ourselves for the first 72 hours while our police, fire fighters and paramedics, tend to those in urgent need,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “I’m asking all Winnipeggers to use National Emergency Preparedness Week as a time to think ahead and collect the information and supplies that they would need to keep their families safe during an emergency situation.”
The city’s EmergWeb website is the best resource for keeping up to date on any emergency situations that may arise. The site also provides guidelines for preparing your own emergency supplies kit.
National Emergency Preparedness Week runs until May 10.
