The East Kootenay Emergency Management Program is kicking off National Emergency Preparedness Week with a fair in Cranbrook on May 4.
It will be held in the Western Financial Place parking lot and feature games, prizes and information on how to keep your family safe.
“Emergencies can happen at any time, and there are things we can do to make sure we are better prepared to respond,” said RDEK protective services manager, Christina Carbrey.
“It’s important for people to know which risks we face in this area and what they can do to help their family prepare for them. This fair will help residents learn which services are available for support and how they can start to formulate those necessary emergency plans for their households.”
RDEK staff will be on-site to help people sign up for the Regional Evacuation Notification System.
RDEK communications manager Loree Duczek said the system helps save time during evacuations.
“We go door-to-door when we have an evacuation order or alert and that process can take us six to eight hours just to get through the whole area,” she said.
“This tool allows us to do the same notifications in under two minutes. In an emergency situation where there is an evacuation order or alert, every second counts and nowhere is it more critical than in those moments.”
They’re encouraging residents to sign up before a test of the system on May 10 at 2 p.m.
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