Emergency Preparedness Week

Alberta’s diverse landscape—from the Rocky Mountains and foothills to the prairies and boreal forests—means that hazards vary across regions, but the most common threats province-wide include flooding, wildfires, severe storms, high winds, and extreme temperatures.

Knowing the risks, or risk literacy, helps Albertans take appropriate actions that are unique to their circumstances. Prepared individuals are more self reliant and will achieve better outcomes when disruptions occur, big or small.

Use Be Prepared Know the risks programming to inform your communities on hazards that impact them.

Alerting apps, as well as local and provincial communications help Albertans stay informed and can help them respond to threats faster. Channels or methods used to deliver emergency messaging varies by community. Ensure your community knows where to find critical information, instructions, and updates during a disruption.

Trusted information sources to promote

• 511 Alberta – traveller information, know before you go
• Alberta Wildfire – stay current on Alberta’s wildfire information
• WeatherCan – Weather alert notices for your area, and other locations you choose
• Alberta Rivers : Data and advisories – latest information on Alberta’s rivers, including flood advisories
• Alberta Government apps  – AQHI Canada, Alberta Fire Bans, etc.
• Alberta government advisories  – for health events, disasters and public safety on crown land
• Government of Alberta
  • Instagram: @YourAlberta
  • Facebook: @YourAlberta
  • X: @YourAlberta
  • X: @ABPublicSafety
• Public Safety Canada
  • Facebook: Emergency Ready in Canada
  • X: @Safety_Canada 
  • X: @Get_Prepared 
  • Youtube: Safety in Canada 

The Preparedness Survey of Albertans shows just 24% of those surveyed have a household emergency plan. And even fewer of those surveyed are aware of the emergency plans at their partner’s place of work, at their child’s school or daycare or a parent’s care home. 

An emergency plan can help minimize the confusion and distress during a disaster. Use Be Prepared Make a Plan programming and resources to inform your community on things to consider in their plan like:

• Sheltering in place
• Evacuations
• Financial resiliency
• Pet preparedness
• Farm animal and livestock preparedness
• Communication preparedness and planning
• After an emergency

Promote Public Safety Canada’s emergency planning tool as a guide for community members to fill out and use. 

During an emergency, everyday services may not be available and critical public services can become overwhelmed and not able to operate at full capacity. Individuals equipped with the right supplies are more likely to avoid personal emergencies during prolonged disruptions.

• Gather supplies – contains a supply list and seasonal update suggestions, special items to consider, and an emergency contact card.
• Build an emergency kit – this includes different emergency checklists to consider for individual households, vehicles, pet needs as well as a grab and go list. 

Connected communities are resilient communities. Research shows that communities with strong social connections experience better outcomes following emergency and disasters, including reduced impacts and recovery time. The 2024 Preparedness Survey of Albertans reports that of those surveyed, only 23% have a community support network in place. 

Build more resilient communities with these tips: 

• Work with local organizations that offer supports and services to the most vulnerable people in your community to find ways to increase their disaster resilience. These are the members of your community that will require additional supports during and after an emergency or disaster.
• Look for funding opportunities to support local community preparedness initiatives. Create pathways that enable your community members to come together to find solutions for a shared problem – by community, for community!
• Find free preparedness events, workshops, etc. that you can host for your residents, either in person or virtually, to create space for networking and relationship building. Encourage conversation and connections beyond the session.
• Host a public information session to share the hazard outlook for the season and your community’s level of readiness. Make sure the platform allows for engagement and encourage community members to stay informed and share information with them that empowers self-reliance.

A verified Alberta.ca account makes it easier to access support and services—no paperwork or in-person visits required. Encourage community members to verify their account to ensure they can quickly get access to support services.

Benefits with a verified Alberta.ca account, Albertans can securely access: 

• MyAlberta Emergency Registration System (MAERS) – Register entire household and pets for emergency assistance.
• MyAlberta Emergency Benefits System – Apply for financial aid during crises.
• MyHealth Records – View personal health information.
• Alberta Student Aid – Manage student loans and grants.
• Canada Revenue Agency My Account – Access tax and benefit information.

MyAlberta Emergency Registration System (MAERS)

Creating a MAERS profile before an emergency helps local emergency teams provide faster, more effective support. With a profile, Albertans can:

• Register their household and pets in advance.
• Check in virtually at designated evacuation centres.
• Ensure emergency teams have the information they need to provide support.

Be Prepared Tip: Encourage community members to connect with local emergency social services teams to learn more about their role in supporting Albertans during crises.

Websites

• Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) - learn more about what AEMA does and how they are involved in emergencies and disasters
• Disaster financial assistance and recovery support - financial assistance available for Albertans affected by uninsurable loss and damage caused by disasters
• Disaster Recovery Program homeowner property search - determine which homeowner property locations are subject to funding restrictions
• Insurance and disasters - information on types of disasters and respective insurance coverage
• Alberta 911 - learn about the 911 program
• Compassionate Alberta - resources and information related to palliative care and advance care planning
• Healthy Aging CORE - the knowledge hub for senior serving organizations in Alberta
• Psychosocial and Emergency Preparedness Workshops - developed by Alberta Health Services, these workshops are free to the public
  • Email HPDIP.MH.EarlyID@albertahealthservices.ca to sign up or for more information
• Government of Canada: Get Prepared - dedicated to emergency preparedness that allows Canadians to learn about hazards and how they can prepare for them
• Government of Canada: Cyber Security - a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and steps they can take to protect themselves online
• Government of Canada: Cyber Security (seniors) - how older adults can protect themselves from the most common cyber security threats
• BlueSky Canada – a system collaboration between Alberta and British Columbia that combines forest fire information and weather forecast computer models

Suggested social media posts: 

Facebook / Instagram 
This year’s Emergency Preparedness Week theme is “Be prepared. Know your risks.” 
Whether it’s extreme temperatures, tornadoes, wildfires, or floods, knowing the hazards in your community can help you decrease your risk and manage disruptions. #EPWeek2025

Learn what to do before, during and after a variety of hazards: www.alberta.ca/know-the-risks

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips!

Twitter (X) 
#EPWeek2025 is all about knowing your risks. Whether it’s extreme temperatures, tornadoes, wildfires, or floods, knowing the hazards in your community can help you decrease your risk and manage disruptions. Learn what to do before, during and after a variety of hazards: www.alberta.ca/know-the-risks

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Day 1 Know the risks

Suggested social media posts:

Twitter (X)
Preparedness isn’t one-size-fits-all. This #EPWeek2025, consider your unique needs in your emergency plan. Planning and being prepared will reduce stress and make it easier for you to get to a safe place. Learn how to tailor an emergency plan that fits your needs at alberta.ca/make-an-emergency-plan

Facebook/Instagram

Preparedness isn’t one-size-fits-all.
This Emergency Preparedness Week, consider your unique needs in your emergency plan:

• Do you have access to a vehicle during an evacuation?
• Does anyone need extra support?
• Do you know where you would meet loved ones if separated?

Planning and being prepared will reduce stress and make it easier for you to get to a safe place. #EPWeek2025

Learn how to tailor an emergency plan that fits your needs at alberta.ca/make-an-emergency-plan

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips!

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Day 2 Plan for your unique needs

Suggested social media posts:

Twitter (X)
This #EPWeek2025 take small steps to prepare your emergency kit. Stock up on affordable supplies over time and set aside a small monthly amount for an emergency fund with cash on hand for outages. Learn more about how to prepare: www.alberta.ca/beprepared

Facebook/Instagram
Preparedness is an ongoing journey you can build over time.

This Emergency Preparedness Week, take small steps like learning about local hazards, creating a buddy system, gathering affordable emergency kit supplies and setting aside a small monthly amount for an emergency fund with cash on hand for outages. #EPWeek2025

Learn more about how to prepare: www.alberta.ca/beprepared

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips!

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Day 3 Preparedness journey

Suggested social media posts:

On Wednesday, May 7 at 1:55 p.m. the Government of Alberta will conduct a test of the emergency alert system. Test alerts are a great way to prompt a discussion on emergency preparedness with your household and loved ones.

Use Emergency Preparedness Week and the test alert as a reminder to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app to ensure you receive all emergency notifications for your area.

Twitter (X)
The Government of Alberta will conduct a test of the emergency alerting system on Wednesday, May 7 at 11:55 a.m.

Use #EPWeek2025 and the test alert as a reminder to download the @AB_EmergAlert app to make sure you get all emergency notifications for your area: www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert
 

Facebook/Instagram
The Government of Alberta will conduct a test of the emergency alerting system on Wednesday, May 7 at 11:55 a.m.

Test messages will be issued over TV, radio, cell phones and tablets. Check your phone’s compatibility  at  https://www.alertready.ca/ 

Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Albertans during emergencies.

Test alerts are a great way to prompt a discussion on emergency preparedness with your household and loved ones. Use Emergency Preparedness Week and the test alert as a reminder to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app to ensure you receive all emergency notifications for your area. Get it for iOS and Android at https://www.alberta.ca/about-emergency-alerts  

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Day 4 Emergency alert test

Suggested social media posts:

Twitter (X) 
Building an emergency kit doesn’t have to happen all at once. This #EPWeek2025, consider refreshing supplies or adding a new item. Look for sales and shop at discount stores to keep costs low. For an emergency kit checklist, visit: www.alberta.ca/build-an-emergency-kit

Facebook/Instagram

Building an emergency kit doesn’t have to happen all at once.

During Emergency Preparedness Week, consider refreshing supplies or adding a new item or two such as:
- Updated prescriptions
- Batteries
- Non-perishable food items

Keep an eye out for sales and shop at dollar or discount stores to keep costs low.

Stock up today on safety essentials and stay safe tomorrow.

For an emergency kit checklist, visit: www.alberta.ca/build-an-emergency-kit

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips! 
 

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Day 5 Keep supplies up to date

Suggested social media posts:

Twitter (X)

Have you planned for those in your life who may have extra needs during an emergency?

This #EPWeek2025, talk to your loved ones about what needs may be required when they need it most.

For preparation ideas, visit: www.alberta.ca/make-an-emergency-plan

Facebook/Instagram

Have you made a plan for those in your life who may have extra needs during an emergency?

Give special consideration to things like;

• mobility accommodation
• medications
• medical gear

Spend Emergency Preparedness Week talking to your loved ones about what accommodations may be required when you need it most. #EPWeek2025

For preparation ideas, visit: www.alberta.ca/make-an-emergency-plan

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips!
 

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Day 6 Consider additional needs

Suggested social media posts:

Twitter (X)
This #EPWeek2025, create a pet emergency plan that considers transportation, supplies & their unique needs during evacuations.

Acclimate your pet to caregivers & practice sheltering in place. Learn more: www.alberta.ca/pet-preparedness

Facebook/Instagram 
This week let's prioritize our furry friends and create a Pet Emergency Plan for #EPWeek2025!

• Plan transportation for your pets in case of evacuation
• Gather supplies (food, meds, and comfort items)
• Prepare for unique needs – each pet is different!
• Get your pet comfortable with caregivers
• Practice sheltering in place to keep everyone safe!  

Pets are family – prepare for them as well! Learn more: www.alberta.ca/pet-preparedness

Follow along with us for the rest of the week for more #EPWeek2025 preparedness tips!
 

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Day 7 Pet preparedness

Use this poster to promote EP Week in your community.

Use this Bingo card to encourage your audiences to take preparedness actions during EP Week. We suggest offering prizes to increase uptake.

Download these EP Week trivia questions and adapt them to resonate with the communities you serve. 

Skip the hassle of hosting your own session – invite your audience to ours! Be Prepared is hosting a virtual preparedness information session on May 5, 2025 from noon – 1pm, covering practical steps Albertans can take to be better prepared for emergencies. This is an easy way to engage your community and share valuable preparedness information – just spread the word, we’ll do the rest! Check back soon for the event link of email BePrepared@gov.ab.ca to register. 
 

This resource library will have all Be Prepared factsheets, infographics, 60 second videos, toolkits and more to support your campaign planning.