Emergency Preparedness Week starts May 1

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Emergencies occur, by nature, without warning. Power outages happen suddenly, but there are things that people can do to be prepared.

That is why Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited is urging Torontonians to create or re-visit emergency plans and stock up their survival kits this Emergency Preparedness Week May 1-7.

For those who want to learn more about being prepared or who want to brush up on their preparedness know-how, Toronto Hydro is joining with Emergency Management Ontario and the City of Toronto to officially launch Emergency Preparedness Week on April 29.

The one-day event is called "Prepared in the Square" and will feature interactive displays, demonstrations, games and other activities that promote emergency preparedness.

"Toronto Hydro is committed to developing and maintaining its emergency preparedness plans as well as strengthening our relationships with other emergency response agencies. We do this so that together we can successfully manage a wide variety of emergencies that could arise," said Ben La Pianta, Vice President, Distribution Grid Management.

The provincial Emergency Medical Assistance Team mobile field hospital, Toronto HUSAR Heavy Urban Search and Rescue, Ontario Provincial Police canine team and the Red Cross are just some of the organizations that will be onsite during Prepared in the Square, where the public can learn how to be better prepared for emergencies.

Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of all Torontonians. For more information on getting prepared, visit: torontohydro.com.