Emergency Preparedness Week underway in Lethbridge as fire risk remains ‘extreme’

Officials are using Emergency Preparedness Week to ensure Lethbridge and area residents are ready to respond to any emergency, year-round.

As warm temperatures and low humidity continue to elevate the fire risk in Lethbridge’s River Valley, officials are urging residents to be extra cautious when enjoying the spring weather.

Troy Hicks, chief fire marshal with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES), says the fire risk is still classified as “extreme.”

“I know we’ve had a little bit of moisture the last couple of evenings – I’ve noticed my truck wet in the mornings when I get up – but it doesn’t make a difference,” he said.

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As a result of the current conditions, LFES issued a fire ban for Lethbridge’s River Valley.

The warning comes as municipalities take part in Emergency Preparedness Week.

“Preparedness starts at home, but it doesn’t end there,” said Jamie Anderson, emergency planning administrator with the City of Lethbridge.

“When neighbours know each other and look out for one another, the whole community is stronger.”

This year’s campaign combines the national message, “Be prepared. Know your risks,” with Alberta’s theme, “in it together.”

The focus of the week is on preparing households and connecting neighbours to create stronger, more resilient communities.

“It’s important because it’s easy to forget and get complacent about,” Anderson explained.

“We see disasters happening on TV and we see them happening in other communities, but as we go out and live our lives – and we all have busy lives – sometimes the pieces that come together to make a plan and to provide resilience in our own homes and in our own communities can fall through the cracks.”

Municipalities are reminding residents to prepare 72-hour kits with water, food, medications and essential supplies, along with knowing and understanding their risks and staying informed with the Alberta Emergency Alert app.

“Knowing your neighbours is a big piece,” said Breea Tamminga, director of emergency management with Lethbridge County. “That way, if there is something that happens in your community, you can reach out to your neighbours and they can check in on your house; you can check in on them,”

“Having that connection is just so valuable.”

Tamminga says those connections can be made by introducing yourselves to those around you, updating emergency contact lists, identifying trusted sources of local emergency information and checking in with people who may need extra help during an emergency.

“It doesn’t have to be hard. It can be nice and easy,” Tamminga said.

“All you need to do is make those connections with your neighbours, with your communities, and be prepared. Whether that’s having your emergency preparedness lists up to date, keeping a copy of that in your plan and being ready should the time come.

“Knowing your neighbours is going to help to be more resilient when there’s a disaster, so we can build back better.”

To raise awareness of Emergency Preparedness Week, the City of Lethbridge will be hosting several community outreach events to answer questions and support residents in getting prepared.

• May 5 and 6 at Lethbridge Public Library (Parent Connect Program), 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.;
• May 7 at Lethbridge Seniors Citizens Organization (LSCO), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.;
• May 7 at Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; and
• May 8 at City Hall (Culver Room), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., (Emergency Social Services (ESS) volunteer information session).