Emergency Preparedness Week 2021 is May 2 to 8: Be ready for anything!

HAMILTON, ON - The City of Hamilton is participating in Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week May 2-8, 2021, an annual national public education initiative that focuses on the importance of being prepared for emergencies.  

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives, we can still be impacted by other emergencies such as a major flood, fire or large-scale power outage.

EP Week is a good reminder that an emergency can strike at any time and being prepared is the best defense. This year’s theme encourages individuals to “Be ready for anything” with three simple steps:

• Know the risks: knowing the risks in your area can help you better prepare in the event of an emergency.
• Make a plan: make sure everyone in your household knows what to do before, during and after an emergency.
• Get an emergency kit: prepare a supply of water, food and other basic supplies that are easily accessible and that will last for at least 72 hours.

More information on how to be prepared is available at www.hamilton.ca/emergency and www.ontario.ca/beprepared.

Quick Facts

• The City of Hamilton has one of only five stand-alone municipal Emergency Operations Centres in Ontario.
• The City of Hamilton’s Emergency Management Office has more than 25 established partnerships in emergency management across our city, including with emergency services agencies, hospitals, utility providers, private industry, the education sector and community partner agencies.
• The Hamilton Fire Department is responsible for the City of Hamilton’s Emergency Management Program. The program is responsible for preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery in the event of an emergency, and includes the development of the City of Hamilton’s Emergency Plan and the Emergency Operations Centre.
• As outlined in the 10-year Fire Service Delivery Plan, the Emergency Management Division’s responsibilities contribute to the three lines of defense that guide the services provided by the Hamilton Fire Department: Public Education, Fire Safety Standards and Enforcement, and Emergency Response. 

Additional Resources

• City of Hamilton Emergency Plan
• City of Hamilton Emergency Preparedness Guide
• Emergency Information Checklist (available in different languages)
• Hamilton.ca/Emergency
• Ontario.ca/BePrepared

“Although we remain focused on responding to and recovering from COVID-19, it is important to understand that other emergencies may strike and being prepared is the best defense. Personal preparedness is the key to resiliency before, during and after emergencies. The three simple actions of staying informed, making a plan and building an emergency kit can save your life and the lives of those you care about.”  

David Cunliffe, Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department