Local agencies band together to showcase Emergency Preparedness during Disaster Day
By Nelson Daily Staff
A mock form of disaster will strike Nelson’s Hall Street on Saturday (May 5th ) when local agencies come together to promote National Emergency Preparedness Week by hosting Disaster Day 2018.
The event is meant to promote personal, family and community emergency preparedness, as well as Fire Smart Awareness. It will showcase how local agencies work together in our community to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
“Disaster Day is an interactive event for the whole family to learn how to be prepared,” says Len MacCharles, Fire Chief for the City of Nelson. “It can help our residents and our community be better prepared for a large emergency.”
“Don’t wait until disaster strikes – prepare now!”
MacCharles said in the media release that Nelson Emergency Alert System will be launched at Disaster Day 2018 with volunteers there to help the public sign up. The new Nelson Emergency Alert System will send out alerts via text, voice or email to all those signed up to keep them apprised of developing emergencies and evacuations.
“The Nelson Emergency Alert System is new and an important part of community emergency preparedness,” Chief MacCharles said. “It is intended to provide timely emergency information to those who live, visit or work in Nelson. The RDCK has an RDCK-wide Emergency Alert System and we recommend Nelson residents and visitors sign up for both, but certainly the Nelson Emergency Alert System if they want Nelson specific emergency information.”
All those who sign up on May 5th and throughout Emergency Preparedness Week (May 6 – 12) will be entered in a draw to win one of three 72 Hour Emergency Kits (valued at $125 each). Sign-up will be available online at nelson.ca after May 5th.
Everyone is invited to come down to meet agency representatives and participate in the fun! There’ll be kid’s activities, a scavenger hunt, fire trucks, a front-end loader, an ambulance, hazmat demonstrations, a sprinkler protection unit, chances to win free 72 HR EMERGENCY KITS, giveaways, free hot dogs and much more.
Sparky the Dog and Smoky the Bear will be on site – come by and give them a high-five or take part in the “Be Prepared” Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a Fire Hall tour and a ride in a Fire Truck! It’s sure to be an educational and fun day the whole family will enjoy.
For more information, see the Facebook post of Chief Len MacCharles.
