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Parkland Ambulance wants you to be prepared

May 9, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert has had its fair share of emergency situations including the big blackout in June of 2012, the major windstorm in Anglin Lake in July of 2012 and last summer’s oil spill into the North Saskatchewan River. Lyle Karasiuk with Parkland Ambulance said this is the time of year we should be taking stock of what’s around us.

“We often think that emergency services are going to look after [us] and don’t think for one second that they’re not but in a large scale disaster [like a tornado] … emergency services are going to look at life, safety and infrastructure first and getting those services there,” Karasiuk said.

This week marks emergency preparedness week and Parkland wants residents to be ready. Seventy-two hours is the general rule of thumb when it comes to emergency preparedness because when a disaster happens, it can take emergency services some time to set-up services or move people into shelters.

“We look back to the power failure several few years ago in the city, it was quite a few days where we were all without power. Fortunately it was in the summer time so we weren’t dealing with heating issues in our homes. It’s just that important thing of having bottled water, a kit ready and stuff that can make sure you’re self-sufficient,” Karasiuk said.

When Fort McMurray evacuated over 80,000 residents last summer, or 30,000 from Northern Saskatchewan the summer before, many people left their homes within minutes. Karasiuk asked in those incidents, what do you take with you? That’s where the kits come in.

Kits should include things like copies of personal papers and IDs, batteries for electronic devices like flashlights, pet food, items for the kids to play with like colouring books, baby supplies for those with small children, bottled water, canned food, manual can opener and extra keys for your house and car.

These items can be stored in a backpack or small suitcase and placed somewhere easily accessible. Karasiuk said check it once a year, and in an emergency you can just grab it and go.

An emergency kit is just half of the equation. Karasiuk said having a plan is also very important. Know all the exits from your home and choose a meeting place everyone in the family knows.

 

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid