This week is Emergency Preparedness Week, which serves as a good reminder to know your risks and to be prepared for any issue that may arise. The theme this year is “Be prepared and know your risks.”

“It encourages everyone to understand the risks in our area and learn what actions they can take to protect themselves and their families,” stated Kim Olsen, Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity for the City of Regina. “We really encourage preparing things like a 72 hour kit, doing an emergency plan with your family, and updating those every year.”

Emergency kits should include items like bottled water (4 litres/person per day), canned and non-perishable food, baby formula, pet food, a flashlight, a radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, cash, and important medications.

“We never know what’s going to happen and if we’re ever in a situation where utilities are affected it might take responders up to 72 hours or longer to come and give you a hand, so we just want to makes sure you’re really prepared,” Olsen said.

It’s also recommended to have an an emergency car kit prepared which should include food that won’t spoil, blankets, a flashlight, tow rope, jumper cables, water, and a whistle.

In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week, the City of Regina has launched a new alert system to warn motorists and pedestrians of flooding in the Albert Street/Saskatchewan Drive underpass. Once the underpass is flooded thanks to a downpour of rain, the system will notify drivers with signs at Sask Drive and Albert Street, 9th Ave and Albert, and North Railway and Albert. The new alert system also notifies city workers so they, too, can respond in a timely manner.

Emergency Preparedness Week runs until May 11th.

72 hour kit. Photo by City of Regina