NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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The County of Simcoe would like to once again remind residents about the importance of preparing themselves and their families for a wide range of potential emergency situations by observing Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week from May 7 to 13, 2023. EP Week is a federal-provincial-municipal initiative to promote emergency preparedness across Canada.
During EP Week 2023, the County will be actively encouraging residents to be prepared for many of the emergency events that our region experiences each year such as flooding, high winds, and tornadoes. To be prepared for all eventualities, residents should know the risks in your area, make emergency plans for you and your family and put together an emergency kit. For more information on the steps to being prepared, or to download a copy of the County of Simcoe Emergency Preparedness Guide, click here.
“Whether it be floods, fires, tornadoes, or even a healthcare pandemic, it is incredibly important for our residents to ensure they have the tools needed to withstand an emergency situation for up to 72 hours should something unexpected occur,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “In an emergency situation, having an emergency kit, a plan, and knowledge of the risks can make a critical difference. I would encourage residents across the region to stay safe by practicing your emergency plan in advance and be prepared with an emergency kit.”
This year’s EP Week theme is Emergency Preparedness: A Safe, Practiced, and Prepared Ontario. In the spirit of this theme, the County encourages its residents to take concrete actions to be prepared and practice their emergency plan with members of their household. Previous experience shows that by getting or preparing an emergency kit in case of natural disaster, families and individuals are able to reduce the risk and impact, as well as cope better both during and after a major disaster.
Follow @simcoecountyemc on Twitter and Emergency Management Simcoe County on Facebook for tips throughout EP Week 2023.
Simcoe Emergency Response Committee (SERC)
Preparing for emergencies takes planning, coordination and partnerships. In 2005, the County of Simcoe established a committee to bring together emergency managers and response personnel from local municipalities and partner organizations to coordinate emergency planning in the area.
Today the Simcoe Emergency Response Committee (SERC) has grown to include representatives from over 45 organizations including local municipalities, emergency services, volunteer organizations, hospitals, public health, education sector, conservation authorities and utilities. SERC will meet on Friday, May 12ᵗʰ and will include presentations on local search and rescue, extreme heat, cybercrime in Ontario, and severe weather events.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of 16 member municipalities and provides crucial public services to ition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website.
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