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BE PREPARED

Kamloops celebrates Emergency Preparedness

May 13, 2019 | 5:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — Last week was Emergency Preparedness Week across Canada, which is a week dedicated to ensuring Canadians are ready in the event an emergency strikes. And on Saturday, emergency service providers from across Kamloops gathered at Aberdeen Mall to help engage and educate on how the average citizen can be ready when an emergency strikes.

First responders from across the city, including Kamloops RCMP, the BC Emergency Health Services, Kamloops Search and Rescue, and Kamloops Fire Rescue were on hand to speak to the public about exactly what it is they do when an emergency occurs. Assistant Fire Chief Dan Sutherland says it’s an excellent opportunity for the public to engage with firefighters in a non-emergency situation.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to have the public come out and engage with us when we can have the time to answer questions and educate the public on what we do and how we do it,” KFR Assistant Fire Chief Dan Sutherland explained.

Kevin Beeton, Police Support Services Supervisor for the City of Kamloops, helped coordinate Emergency Services Day. He says it’s unusual to have so many essential service providers in one place, and he hopes those who took in Emergency Services Day have a better idea of what goes on when a stressful situation strikes.

“If you’re actually involved in an emergency, you don’t really get time to speak to the people handling that emergency,” Beeton said. “This is a great way to engage with those groups in a more positive way, because sometimes emergencies aren’t pleasant for people, right?”

For more information on how you can prepare for an emergency, you can visit the City of Kamloops website by clicking here.