Be Emergency Ready – Plan, Prepare And Be Aware

Released on May 3, 2019

Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding is proclaiming May 5-11, as Emergency Preparedness Week in Saskatchewan.

“Over the past several years, Saskatchewan residents have faced emergencies such as floods, tornadoes, wildfires and grassfires,” Kaeding said. “For this reason, community preparedness is a focus in Saskatchewan’s Prairie Resilience climate change strategy and resilience framework, which includes increased floodplain mapping, expansion of the FireSmart program, and training to help local governments and communities plan and respond to emergencies.”

Public Safety Division Assistant Deputy Minister Duane McKay noted that it is not if an emergency will happen, but when it will happen.

“That’s why being emergency ready – to plan, prepare and be aware – is so important,” McKay said. “Take a few minutes to plan who you would call and what you would do if you needed to evacuate. Then prepare a basic emergency kit containing water, non-perishable foods, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, a first-aid kit, prescription medications, money and copies of your family’s personal identification documents.”

The Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) highlighted the need to think about your pet’s needs in an emergency.

“A bit of preparation now to gather items your pet will need can make a world of difference during an emergency,” Saskatchewan SPCA’s Community Relations Co-ordinator Josh Hourie said. “It’s a perfect activity to do with your children so they understand the importance of being emergency ready and can pack items for your pet’s emergency kit in case you need to evacuate.”

Hourie suggested including the following supplies in your pet’s emergency kit:

three days of non-perishable food for each pet;
three days of water for each pet (allow four litres/day for each dog; one litre/day for each cat);
food and water dishes and a manual can opener;
medical records and medicines for your pet;
an extra leash and collar;
plastic garbage bags and paper towels;
disinfectant;
newspapers, pet litter and a litter box;
a pet first aid kit;
pet crate or carrier lined with blankets or towels;
pet toys;
for birds: a catch net, blanket or sheet to cover the cage, and a cage liner; and
for small pets such as gerbils and hamsters: a salt lick, an extra water bottle, a small box or tube for the pet to hide in, and a week’s worth of bedding.

Being emergency ready also means you need to be aware if an emergency is happening near you.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) works with all provinces and territories to test the national emergency alerting system: Alert Ready.

Saskatchewan will be participating in the SECOND annual test, the next one being scheduled for 1:55 p.m. on May 8. The test issued in Saskatchewan will appear on television, radio and compatible wireless devices, as well as through the SaskAlert app.

For more information, please visit www.alertready.ca or contact your telecommunication provider.

For additional tips about emergency planning for your family and your pets, visit:

Disaster Prevention and Preparedness section on the province’s website at www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/disaster-prevention
Pet-Friendly Emergency Planning at www.sspca.ca/education/pet-friendly-emergency-planning
Emergency Preparedness Week at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/emergency-preparedness-week.html.

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For more information, contact:

Kathy Goldfinch
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2697
Email: kathy.goldfinch@gov.sk.ca

Josh Hourie
Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-382-7726
Email: josh@sspca.ca

Be Emergency Ready – Plan, Prepare And Be Aware

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