It is not a matter of if a disaster will happen. It is a matter of when. Emergency situations often strike with little or no notice, and we need to be prepared.

The government is reminding Nova Scotians that it is everyone’s responsibility to know the risks, to plan ahead and prepare for potential emergencies during National Emergency Preparedness Week, from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10.

“Emergency preparedness begins at home,” said Mark Furey, Minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office. “Each of us can reduce the potential risks we face by better understanding what could happen and learning how to better prepare ourselves, our family, our property, and our community.”

Knowing the risks is critical to a person’s ability to be prepared for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency. The Emergency Management Office offers the following tips on how to prepare:
— prepare a home emergency kit
— prepare an emergency kit for your car
— select a common meeting place for the family
— list emergency phone numbers and addresses by the phone
— teach your children how and when to call 911
— plan for your pets

“Emergency planners spend a lot of time planning, preparing and practicing response,” said Heather MacKenzie-Carey, regional emergency management co-ordinator. “Knowing what to do in an emergency saves valuable time and resources, and possibly lives.”

“I strongly encourage Nova Scotians to take some time now to get ready and protect yourself and your family,” said Mr. Furey.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit http://novascotia.ca/just/EMO/prepare_for_an_emergency/ .

FOR BROADCAST USE

     It’s not a matter of if a disaster will happen. It’s a

matter of when. Emergency situations often strike with little or

no notice, and we need to be prepared.

     The government is reminding Nova Scotians it is everyone’s

responsibility to know the risks, plan ahead and prepare for

potential emergencies during National Emergency Preparedness

Week, from Sunday, May 4th to Saturday, May 10th.
     
     Mark Furey, Minister responsible for the Emergency

Management Office says each of us can reduce the potential risks

we face by better understanding what could happen and learning

how to better prepare ourselves, our family, our property and

our community.

     For tips on how to prepare for an emergency, visit

the Emergency Management Office website.

Source: Release