York Regional Police is pleased to participate in recognizing Emergency Preparedness Week which runs from May 4 to 10, 2008. The main objective is to increase individual awareness about emergency preparedness so that we can all reduce the risks and lessen the consequences of disasters. Every resident should know what they can do to provide for their family in case of emergency.

If a disaster happens in your community, it may take some time for emergency workers to get to you as they help others in desperate need. You may have to evacuate your home on a moment's notice or you may find yourself home-bound without electricity, water supply or access to stores and banks. All levels of government in Canada have emergency response plans in place, but it may take several days for first responders to reach you. It is impossible to predict everything that might happen during an emergency, but you can minimize the potential impact on your family by preparing ahead and being ready to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours by having an Emergency Preparedness Kit ready. For more information, visit the Emergency Preparedness website at www.getprepared.gc.ca.

York Regional Police and Region of York departments will have displays up to teach residents how to prepare for an emergency. The displays will remain up all week in the Great Hall at the Regional Municipality of York Administrative Centre located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket.

York Regional Police also reminds residents about our public notification system called Community Alert. This system allows York Regional Police to notify residents and businesses by telephone and email about community safety matters in their area. This could include a rash of break and enters, vehicle thefts or a missing child and this system will also be used to alert citizens in the event of an emergency.

York Regional Police is also offering a new program at the Community Safety Village of York Region during the months of December to March to teach Grade 5 students about the importance of being prepared. The 70-minute program will teach the students how to prepare for an emergency and what to do in case of a declared disaster. Students work in groups to put together different types of Emergency Kits with materials found in the life-size apartment/classroom.

Teachers can book a class by visiting out website at www.yrp.ca  and clicking on the Community Safety Village link.

For more information on Emergency Preparedness Week, visit the York Region website at www.york.ca