Local faith-based organizations come together to offer residents refuge in times of emergency
BRAMPTON, ON (April 29, 2019) – At this year’s Emergency Preparedness Week (May 5-11), the City will launch the Lighthouse Program, a new initiative where a number of faith-based organizations will offer their facilities as places of refuge during times of citywide emergency.
The City aims to create a network of “lighthouses” – which will be accessible by all members of the community, regardless of their belief system – to increase the number of safe places residents can turn to in times of wide-scale emergency.
Open house events will be held at “lighthouses” during Emergency Preparedness Week, giving Bramptonians an opportunity to visit the facilities and learn more about the program and its benefits.
The Lighthouse Program will boost Brampton’s emergency preparedness and response mechanism, particularly at a time when natural disasters, such as floods and storms, are on the rise.
To date, four faith-based facilities in Brampton have signed to participate as “lighthouses”. There are approximately 90 faith-based facilities in Brampton, and all are welcome to participate in the Lighthouse Program by contacting the Lighthouse Program team at the City of Brampton.
For more details on the Lighthouse Program, including the schedule of open house events at “lighthouses” in your neighbourhood, please visit
brampton.ca/lighthouseprogram. To learn more about community activities during Emergency Preparedness Week, please visit
this link.
Quotes“The Lighthouse Program is an inspiring example that shows how faith-based organizations in Brampton are coming together to help all members of the community during times of emergency. Brampton is a mosaic of beliefs and cultures, and all have a part to play in the safety and wellbeing of the city. I encourage more faith-based organizations to join this crucial community initiative, and urge residents to learn more about the program.”
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Mayor Patrick Brown“The launch of the Lighthouse Program during Emergency Preparedness Week has special significance. Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Emergency preparedness is, above all, our personal responsibility. Be aware, be prepared, and make it your priority to collect articles for an emergency preparedness kit, if you haven’t done so already.”
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Councillor Rowena Santos, Chair, Community Services
