At the outset of Tuesday night’s council meeting, Mayor John Fenik declared May 2-8 to be Emergency Preparedness Week in Perth. This week was established in 1990, and it is a time for Canadians to educate themselves on potential emergencies that could occur in their area. In particular, citizens are encouraged to:
- Know the risks
- Make a plan
- Prepare an emergency kit
“I urge all residents to gain a better understanding and prepare for the possibilities of an emergency,” said Mayor Fenik.
Basic emergency kits include bottled water, shelf-stable foods (canned goods, granola bars, dried food), a can opener, flashlights and extra batteries, a first aid kit, sanitizer, toilet paper, and a warm blanket.
Fire Chief Trevor Choffe noted that citizen engagement with Emergency Preparedness Week is important. If anyone has any questions about preparing an emergency kit, he encouraged citizens to reach out for answers. Additionally, “we have a few contests coming up, so stay tuned for those. We have six [emergency] kits to give away this year.”
The town’s website is a great resource for anyone looking for advice about what sort of emergencies Perth may face and what to include in an emergency kit. This information can be accessed at https://www.perth.ca/en/live-and-play/Emergency-Services-and-Preparedness.aspx
Article by Janelle Labelle
