Emergency Preparedness Week – School Launch a success!

CEMA Deputy Chief Tom Sampson addresses students at
St. Thomas More and Annie Foote Schools

In anticipation of Emergency Preparedness Week (May 6 – 12, 2012), the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), along with St. Thomas More and Annie Foote schools in Temple, hosted a launch on Thursday designed to bring awareness to emergency preparedness and showcase first responders and other agencies  who respond in an emergency or disaster.

“The students at St. Thomas More and Annie Foote schools were extremely receptive and very excited to be a part of the launch event,” says Tom Sampson, Deputy Chief of CEMA. “We are grateful to both schools, the Calgary Board of Education, and the Calgary Catholic School District for their partnership and assistance in getting the preparedness message out.”

Students have some fun with
Calgary Transit Public Safety

Students from the schools were able to check out first responders and partners who assist in emergencies and disasters. The Calgary Fire Department, The Calgary Police Service, Calgary Transit Public Safety, Alberta Health Services (EMS), the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, ENMAX and ATCO all had personnel, equipment, and displays on-hand.

CEMA, the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District collaborated to distribute 85,000 Important Documents bags (a plastic bag with a sealable top and a printed checklist of important documents of which every household should have copies) and Household Emergency Action Plan booklets to schoolchildren from kindergarten to Grade Six.

Calgarians can get more information on preparedness at www.calgary.ca/cema (and download preparedness documents and checklists) or by calling 3-1-1.

Emergency Preparedness Week is a national initiative designed to build a culture of preparedness in Canada. The Calgary Emergency Management Agency promotes awareness of and preparation for emergencies and disasters that can happen in Calgary.

Emergency Preparedness Week culminates in Disaster Alley on Saturday, May 12. Disaster Alley (www.calgary.ca/disasteralley) is a free family event where guests can learn how to better prepare themselves and their families for an emergency or disaster, as well as how first responders and other agencies prepare for and respond to events.

Disaster Alley will be held Saturday, May 12 from 11am to 4pm at the Fire Training Academy (5727 – 23 Avenue SE).

Students and dignitaries with ATCO Gas mascot, Digger

Students learn about electrical safety from ENMAX