May 2 to 8, 2021 marks Emergency Preparedness Week (EPW), a national event supported by Public Safety Canada, working closely with Provincial and Territorial emergency management organizations, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector who support activities at the local level.
Everyone has a role to play in an emergency. EPW is an opportunity for residents to take action to ensure they are prepared to protect themselves, their family and their community during an emergency. This year, the theme is Emergency Preparedness: Be Ready for Anything. The intent of this theme is to encourage Canadians to take action to become better prepared for the range of emergencies they could face.
This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City reminds residents that it is important now more than ever that we all play a role in being safe and prepared.
Residents can help to protect themselves and the community against the spread of COVID-19 by staying informed, maintaining physical distancing, adhering to all Provincial public health measures and following the advice of Peel Public Health. The City encourages residents to continue these efforts in keeping Brampton safe.
At the centre of the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is its Emergency Management team, who is celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year. The City thanks the Brampton Emergency Management Office (BEMO) and community partners who are putting their planning into practice at this time, and continue to work together to protect the safety of our community during this unprecedented emergency.
“The City of Brampton team has been working tirelessly for more than a year, along with our valued partners, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep our community safe,” said Mayor Patrick Brown, City of Brampton. “Keeping our residents informed and ensuring our responses are coordinated for the community is no easy task. I want to extend my sincerest thank you to our Brampton Emergency Management Office and the Emergency Management staff at the Region of Peel for their dedicated efforts in ensuring we are all working together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Brampton.”
“The City’s response to COVID-19 has been a result of the preparation and practice of our staff, together with our partners, largely guided by our dedicated Brampton Emergency Management team,” said Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services Committee, City of Brampton. “From staff exercises to educational activities, BEMO ensures we are always prepared to respond to emergencies. We recognize their twentieth anniversary, and ask that all Bramptonians continue to do their part to ensure our community’s safety and resilience as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Every year, EPW is a time to remind residents to review Brampton’s Emergency Preparedness Guide and to be prepared for potential emergencies of all kinds, including extreme weather, flooding, and power outages. To learn more, visit www.brampton.ca/prepared.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
