It’s Emergency Preparedness Week, and now is a perfect time to evaluate your plans for yourself and your family in case of unplanned events.
Chad Kregar, County Emergency Management Coordinator for the County of Huron, says that Emergency Preparedness Week is about being prepared for anything that comes your way – with a new theme every year, this year, there’s a focus on extreme weather.
Key components of readiness, according to Kregar, include having a family plan, ensuring the availability of a 72-hour emergency kit.
One unconventional component to consider in your emergency preparedness, is a compilation of essential information.
The County has a list of potential items to include on their website
Alongside conventional inclusions like food, clean drinking water, and medications, some things you may not have thought to put in your kit include:
- important addresses, phone numbers or medical information
- can opener
- spare chargers for your phone
- feminine hygeine products
- cash money
- pocket knife or multitool
The challenge, as Kregar acknowledges, lies in preparing for events that are uncertain. However, he stresses the importance of constant readiness, especially in the face of emerging threats like cyber attacks, which could disrupt traditional communication channels.
Kregar emphasizes that readiness is not confined to a single week but should be an ongoing priority. He encourages individuals to familiarize themselves with the types of emergencies prevalent in their area, make comprehensive plans, assemble emergency kits, and establish communication plans, utilizing resources available on the county’s emergency services website.
Written by: B. Shakyaver