With last June’s flood still fresh in the memory of Canmore residents, the municipality is getting ready for Emergency Preparedness Week from May 4-10.
On Sunday (May 4), the Town will test its community emergency siren, which is located at the Fire Hall.
“We haven’t tested this siren in a long time,” said manager of communication Sally Caudill. “The idea is that every year from now going forward, Emergency Preparedness Week begins with an annual test of the siren. If the siren goes off at any other time, that means there is a true emergency.”
For the siren test, the Town wants to hear from people to get a sense of how well they are able to hear it and how far the sound reaches. Residents are encouraged to post on the Town’s Facebook or Twitter accounts if the siren was heard and where it was heard from.
As the anniversary of last year’s flood approaches, Town staff continue to work on short-term mitigation on most of the creeks in the community and participate in emergency preparedness training.
“There is definitely a heightened sense this year of a need to be well prepared,” said manager of protective services Greg Burt. “The flooding last year helped us recognize the importance of being prepared, not just for flooding, but for all possible emergency events that could impact our community and the Bow Valley.”
Emergency Preparedness Week events are being held to make sure residents are prepared as well. In addition to a pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, there are two open houses being held.
On Monday (May 5) from 4:30-7 p.m. a flood preparedness information session is being held with the province of Alberta, Town of Canmore and TransAlta at Elevation Place. On Thursday (May 8), from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Elevation Place there is a community preparedness open house with Bow Valley Wellness, Recovery and Preparedness Committee and the Red Cross.
Those attending the pancake breakfast are encouraged to bring their own reusable plates, cutlery and cups as it is a Towards Zero Waste event.
