Know Your Risks - Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 to 11 / Nova Scotians Encouraged to be Prepared for Emergencies

**** HRM Media Release

Know Your Risks - Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 to 11

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, the Halifax Regional Municipality is encouraging all residents to take proactive steps in preparing for emergencies. This year’s theme is Know Your Risks, emphasizing the importance of understanding potential hazards and taking proactive measures to protect yourself, your family and your community.

• Know your risks – those who live on a coastline, floodplain or area prone to wildfire should understand the risks in their communities.

• Be prepared - have an emergency kit, sign up for hfxALERT, know your emergency contacts and where to find important information, such as insurance documents.

• Get involved – consider volunteering with the Joint Emergency Management team, which is activated during emergencies and provides support year-round through community emergency preparedness.

The devastating impacts of severe weather events, such as wildfires and floods, continue to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness. The Emergency Management team is focused on the safety and security of residents, their properties and the environment by providing a timely and coordinated response to crisis events through a number of programs and initiatives.

Voluntary Vulnerable Persons Registry (VVPR)

The Voluntary Vulnerable Persons Registry helps emergency responders identify and assist residents with mobility challenges, medical conditions or disabilities during an emergency. If you or a loved one would benefit from this service, register today at halifax.ca/VVPR.

Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

Our staff work year-round to assess and mitigate risks in our communities. Understanding local hazards can help you prepare for emergencies in your area. Learn more about the Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment on our website.

     How residents can help their community

Residents have an important role to play when it comes to ensuring their own safety. There are a number of ways to get involved in the community and prepare for emergencies.

Volunteer opportunities with Joint Emergency Management (JEM)

Emergency preparedness is a community effort. The municipality’s Emergency Management volunteers support local response efforts, assist at emergency shelters and offer education opportunities. Consider joining a JEM team in your area. Learn more through our website.

Learn and connect at the JEM Jamboree

Join local emergency agencies, emergency management staff and community response teams at the Joint Emergency Management (JEM) Jamboree. At this event, you can learn about local risks, how to prepare your home and family for emergencies and how you can volunteer.

• Date: Saturday, May 10

• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Location:  Superstore parking lot | Porters Lake | 5240 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Porters Lake, N.S. B3E 1J7

Make an emergency plan

Every household should have an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, emergency contacts, meeting places and a plan for pets and those with special health needs.​ All residents should be prepared to be self-sufficient in their home for 72 hours in case of an emergency.

Learn more about what should be included in your emergency plan on our website.

Stay informed

hfxALERT is the municipality’s mass notification system for critical and non-urgent emergencies. Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts to get real-time information from the municipality about severe weather, evacuations, and emergencies. Learn more at halifax.ca/hfxALERT.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit: halifax.ca/emo .

- **** EMO Release Nova Scotians Encouraged to be Prepared for Emergencies --------------------------------------------------------- Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4-10, and Nova Scotians are encouraged to prepare themselves and their household for emergencies. “An emergency can happen at a moment’s notice, which is why it’s important to be prepared. Whether it’s a hurricane, flood or wildfire, people need to have a household plan to prepare for evacuations, power outages or damage to their homes. It’s also a good time to check on your neighbours to see if they’re ready for an emergency,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. “Before an emergency happens, people should know the risks, make a plan and discuss it as a family, and build a grab-and-go kit to make sure they’re ready in the event of an emergency.” Nova Scotians should be prepared for at least 72 hours without power or running water following an emergency such as a wildfire, hurricane or significant winter storm. People should have an emergency kit on hand as well as access to important personal documents. A home emergency kit can be stored in a duffel bag or a plastic bin and should include the following items: - an emergency plan - at least six litres of water per person (two litres per day) - canned and dry foods that won’t spoil and can be eaten without cooking - manual can opener - first-aid supplies - at least a three-day supply of prescription medicines - wind-up or battery-powered flashlight - wind-up or battery-powered radio - extra batteries for the flashlight and radio - money in small bills - copies of important documents such as driver’s licence, birth certificate, passport, will and insurance papers. It is also important for people to keep their vehicle’s gas tank full and cell phones fully charged. People with pets may wish to include pet food in their emergency kit. People are also encouraged to connect with their home insurer to understand what their insurance plan covers in the event of damage, such as flooding. As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, a test of the national Alert Ready system will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at 1:55 p.m. Every compatible mobile device in the province will receive the test alert. The alert message will be identified as a test and will not require people to take action. The Department of Emergency Management sends test alerts twice a year on cell phones, TV and radio. Quick Facts: - Premier Tim Houston proclaimed May 4-10 as Emergency Preparedness Week in Nova Scotia - hurricane season runs from June to November, with Nova Scotia typically experiencing peak storm activity in late August and September - municipalities are responsible to have an emergency management plan in place and lead the response to events in their areas - the Nova Scotia Guard, made up of volunteers from across the province, was announced in March 2024 to help communities during and after emergencies; to date, more than 1,800 people have signed up - daily burn restrictions are updated every day at 2 p.m. Additional Resources: Tips on preparing an emergency kit: https://novascotia.ca/emergency-education/docs/emergency-kit-checklist-en.pdf Tips on making an emergency plan: https://novascotia.ca/emergency-education/docs/emergency-plan-checklist-en.pdf Safety tips for power outages: https://novascotia.ca/emergency-education/docs/power-outages-en.pdf Information on volunteering for the Nova Scotia Guard: https://nsguard.ca/ Daily burn restrictions: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/ Alert Ready system: https://www.alertready.ca/ -