Small habits can add up to emergency preparedness

Released: May 8, 2023 at 9:31 a.m.
Emergency Preparedness Week is May 7-13, 2023

Winnipeg, MB –The best time to get ready for an emergency is well before one ever happens. But, the thought of preparing for any hazard that could affect Winnipeg can be overwhelming. That’s why the theme of this year’s Emergency Preparedness Week is “Be Prepared: Know Your Risks.”

Winnipeg residents should consider taking small steps now so that if an emergency happens, you are as prepared as possible.

"Every small effort we make today towards emergency preparedness can make a tremendous difference when disaster strikes,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “As a community, we all need to take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors.”

“We should prepare ourselves for what we would do if we had to suddenly evacuate or if we were without power for an extended time. If each Winnipegger took a few steps each month for a year, we could really go a long way in building resilience and in reducing the impact of an emergency on all of us,” said Jason Shaw, Assistant Chief of Emergency Management, WFPS.

Preparedness Habits to Try:

  • Make and update an emergency kit for your household. Consider adding a few items each month so you don’t have to build it all at once.
  • Create an emergency plan and update it often. Include details like key phone numbers, documents, identification, and how you and your family will respond in an emergency. Think about how you would get in touch with your family if something happens while they’re at school, daycare, or work.
  • Create a home escape plan and practice it often. Involve everyone in your household.
  • Take the free, self-led Ready Winnipeg course online and invite your family, friends, and colleagues to do the same. This course covers Winnipeg-specific hazards, how you can prepare for an emergency, and what the City can do during a disaster.
  • Follow the City of Winnipeg and other trusted sources on social media. In an emergency, social media is one way the City will communicate with residents.

For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, including items you should include in your household’s emergency kit, see: winnipeg.ca/emergencypreparedness.

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