Be ready in Emergency Preparedness Week

Mayor Marolyn Morrison had a grand way to make an entrance at Monday's event marking Emergency Preparedness Week. She was wheeled into the room on a stokes Basket, used for rough terrain rescues, pushed by Caledon Firefighters Franco Galle, Peter Thompson, John Kidd and Roy Maderstacher.

Emergencies can happen without warning, which is why Peel Regional council proclaimed this to be Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week.

In partnership with local municipalities, the Peel Regional Emergency Program (PREP) is participating in activities throughout the week to promote this year's theme: Is Your Family Prepared? Develop Your Personal and Family Emergency Kit.

The EP Week was launched Monday at Caledon Town Hall. PREP staff, along with Peel paramedics, Caledon firefighters and OPP, were on hand to demonstrate how to create a family emergency kit.

"Everyone has a role to play in emergency planning and preparedness," commented Andre Luc Beauregard, manager of regional emergency management. "One of the easiest ways to start preparing is developing your seven-day family emergency kit."

Some key items to include in a seven-day family emergency kit are water (four litres per day, per person), canned food and opener, first aid supplies, personal care items, medication, fire extinguisher, flashlight, radio, spare batteries, and seasonally appropriate clothing. You should also have a seven day supply of food and medication for your pets.

EP Week will showcase displays at Shopper's World in Brampton (May 8 and 9) and Wal-mart in Bolton (May 8 to 10).

PREP is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the Region's Emergency Plan by working with area municipalities, the province and key stakeholders to ensure that a high level of municipal emergency response and preparedness exists within Peel. For more information about emergency planning, visit www.peelregion.ca/prep, or call (905) 791-7800, ext. 4444.