This week is Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Week and the Office of Emergency Preparedness in the Department of Community Safety at York University is hosting a special information event in the Vari Hall Rotunda on Wednesday, May 4.
Emergency Preparedness Week events increase awareness about individual and family preparedness. The central message of the week is that Canadians can reduce the risk and consequences of an emergency by being better prepared.
“Emergencies can take place at any time and it is important to be prepared,” said Samina Sami, executive director of community safety at York University. “We all have a role to play in being prepared. The Department of Community Safety is committed to the safety of York community members. To help foster the culture of emergency preparedness within the York University community, the Office of Emergency Preparedness is hosting this public event on campus during Emergency Preparedness Week. In addition to this session, please take the time to review York University’s Emergency Preparedness Program website. It is full of useful information for all community members.”
Staff, faculty and students are invited to drop by the information event in Vari Hall between 10am and 2:30pm on Wednesday. Information will be available from Office of Emergency Preparedness, York Security Services, goSAFE, Building & Fire Code Compliance, Toronto Fire Services and more. Come by to learn about emergency preparedness at York and grab some free give-away gifts! Community members who drop by can also enter a contest for a chance to win either an emergency preparedness car kit or a $50 Yu Card.
Also of important note, and just in time for Emergency Preparedness Week, Aviva Canada, in conjunction with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction has developed an emergency planning mobile app for Canadians. The app helps with developing personalized emergency plans for natural disasters based on personal information, including where you live and the level of risk you may face. This free app can be downloaded in the APP store or Google Play.
“It is important to remember that no community is immune to emergencies,” said Katherine Branton, manager of the University’s Emergency Preparedness Program. “Faculty, staff and students should keep in mind that it is up to each of us to do our part and be prepared.”
Resources and supports are available through Emergency Preparedness Program that can help with planning for an emergency. To learn more, email epp@yorku.ca.