Emergency Preparedness Partnerships

Being aware and prepared is the focus of Emergency Preparedness Week May 1 - 7, 2011. ATCO Gas works with a number of communities across the province to increase awareness of the importance of individual emergency preparedness.

Get Ready In The Park will be held on Saturday May 7 at Hawrelak Park, presented by Edmonton’s emergency response community including ATCO Gas. The event allows emergency response agencies to demonstrate how they are prepared to work with the citizens of Edmonton in the event of a crisis and how Edmontonians can get ready for a major emergency. In Calgary, the second annual Disaster Alley will be held on May 7 as well. This free, one-day event will showcase all the agencies that work together with Calgary Emergency Management (CEMA) to respond to emergencies, including Calgary Fire Dept., Alberta Health Services, Calgary Police Service, Red Cross, ATCO Gas and many more. Participating agencies will provide hands-on demonstrations and displays including HAWC and STARS helicopters landings.

In recent years, ATCO Gas, ATCO Electric and local officials have introduced customized Emergency Preparedness Guides to area residents and businesses in the Grande Prairie region, High Prairie, Banff, Airdrie, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and County of Lethbridge including Barons, Coaldale, Coalhurst and Nobleford.

The first Guide was introduced in 2006 in Edmonton as part of an education program helping Edmontonians better prepare for major emergencies. Through the Community Emergency Preparedness program, City officials work with community groups to help them help their members prepare for the unexpected. As well as supporting the project financially, ATCO Gas is providing expertise in natural gas emergencies, as well as safety and disaster preparedness to support the training and education objectives of the Community Emergency Preparedness program. The home emergency planning guide has been produced in six different languages and is also available online or at City of Edmonton fire stations, police stations, recreation facilities, all public libraries, and the Citizen Action Centre in Edmonton’s City Hall.

In 2010 and 2011, copies of a Calgary Household Emergency Action Plan booklet have been distributed throughout Calgary. These quick reference guides have advice on preparing for and coping with severe weather, floods, chemical releases, influenza, as well as providing key contact information, utility outages information and an outline on preparing home, travel and pet emergency kits.

Other resources and information can be found at www.GetPrepared.ca.