Emergency Preparedness Week 2024

This year, Emergency Preparedness Week took place across Canada from May 5th to May 11th, with the theme “Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.” In Sarnia-Lambton, the focus was on raising awareness about the community sirens and promoting the Sarnia-Lambton Alerts system.

Emergency Preparedness Week aims to encourage Canadians to take actions to protect themselves and their families during emergencies. In Sarnia-Lambton, which has 15 community sirens tested every Monday at 12:30 PM, this was particularly pertinent. These tests can sometimes cause alarm among new residents or visitors who are unfamiliar with the routine.

BASES Emergency Preparedness used the week to educate the public on what to do when the sirens sound. In an actual emergency, the sirens will sound for nine minutes, signaling residents to shelter-in-place and seek further information from emergency officials.

“Many times, we hear reports of new residents or visitors hearing the testing of the sirens for the first time and feeling alarmed,” said Tracy Krull, Senior Communications Advisor for BASES. “Our goal is to ensure everyone understands the purpose of the sirens and the actions to take when they hear them.”

Residents were encouraged to sign up for Sarnia-Lambton Alerts to receive real-time notifications about emergencies. The EP Week campaign included informational ads on the local radio stations, attending community events, and engaging the community through social media.

“Being prepared is not just about knowing the sirens exist; it’s about understanding local risks and having a plan,” Tracy added. “We urge everyone to use the resources available during EP Week and throughout the year.”