Emergency Preparedness Week May 5 - 11, 2013.

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – The recent ice storm that hit Waterloo Region in April, was a reminder to all residents that we must be prepared for an emergency. 

Emergency Preparedness Week May 5 -11, 2013 encourages Canadians to be prepared to cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency while rescue workers help those in urgent need. This special week is a national effort of provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, and Public Safety Canada. 

By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies - anytime, anywhere. It is important to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

The focus of this year’s Emergency Preparedness week is on ensuring seniors and older adults are getting the message about being prepared. While they have the ability to help themselves and others, seniors can be more vulnerable during emergencies

Here's what you can do:

  • Know the risks - Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare: http://www.wrem.ca/
  • Make a plan - It will help you and your family know
  • Get an emergency kit - During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water.

We encourage you to take concrete actions to be better prepared. Experience has shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to help people cope better - both during and after a major disaster.

Take time to visit http://www.getprepared.ca/  for additional resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies. 

To learn more about emergency management locally, please visit the Waterloo Region emergency management website at: http://www.wrem.ca/ 

Stay safe on the go with the new mobile website from Public Safety Canada. Visit http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/m/index.htm for key steps to take during an emergency such as an earthquake, severe storm, flood, and more.

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For more information please contact:
Steve LaRochelle, Program Manager, Emergency Measures Office, Region of Waterloo, 519-575-4740, slarochelle@regionofwaterloo.ca