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P.A. mayor asks residents to be prepared

Apr 28, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Would you be able to last three days if the power went out or a destructive tornado hit the city?

This is the question the Red Cross is asking Prince Albert residents.

Mayor Greg Dionne signed a proclamation Thursday morning, calling May 1 to 7 Emergency Preparedness Week. He said he takes great pride in keeping his house ready for any circumstance.

“All my friends laugh at me because right after Remembrance Day, I replace every battery I have in my house,” he said. 

The importance of being prepared was illustrated last summer in Prince Albert. The city welcomed over 5,000 evacuees because of the wildfire crisis in Northern Saskatchewan.

Many of those evacuees were given 20 minutes notice to pack up their belongings and leave. 

“People are generally prepared for a day or two but the goal is to be prepared for 72 hours,” Red Cross volunteer, Russell Barton said at the proclamation signing.

Barton said a few key things people should have on hand is extra water, snacks like granola bars and games to play to avoid boredom.

He said it’s also key people know where their medical information and emergency kits are to avoid confusion when Red Cross volunteers come to the door.

“If you’re not prepared and you’re running around trying to find stuff, trying to find identification or you’re trying to find cell phone chargers…now you’re holding up other people who may be potentially needing to be evacuated,” Barton said.

The Red Cross will have information on display at City Hall all week and volunteers on hand to answer questions.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell