In Alberta, there are many hazards that affect people each day, ranging from home fires, floods, to ice storms, wildfires and power outages. Knowing the hazards and understanding how you and your community may be at risk will help you be prepared.
Email beprepared@gov.ab.ca to sign up for the Alberta Government’s BePrepared Bulletin.
Make an Emergency Plan
Making a household emergency plan helps you and your family know what to do, where to go, and who to contact in the event of an emergency. Keep a copy of your plan in your 72-hour emergency kit and another copy in an easy to find alternate location. A template plan is available below:
The County’s Household Emergency & Resource Guide is a valuable resource to help you be prepared and keep you and your family safe and sound.
The guide provides:
- An easy-to-find place for information on your household and your service providers.
- Information on preparing for emergencies, and tips on what to do in an emergency including evacuation.
- Contact information for Rocky View County.
- Contact numbers for all kinds of issues, from poison control to aggressive wild animals.
If you need a copy of the Household Emergency & Resource Guide to review, fill out, hang on your fridge, or place near your phone, please contact Rocky View County at 403-230-1401 or questions@rockyview.ca.
Prepare An Emergency Kit
Everybody can be more prepared for emergencies. Having an emergency kit is a great start.
Keep your kit in a backpack, suitcase or tub, and keep it light enough to be able to lift into your car. Having a kit that will provide you with 72 hours of supplies is recommended, however, consider putting together an evacuation kit that you can rely on for up to seven days.
Keep enough gas in your vehicle in the event of an evacuation.
Evacuation Kit Contents:
- Wallet: identification, credit cards and cash
- Mobile phone and charger
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Medications
- Car keys
- Six litres of water per person (include small bottles)
- Copy of your emergency plan, including emergency contact numbers
- Prescription record from your pharmacist, as needed
- Three-day supply of nonperishable food per person (replace once per year)
- Change of clothing including extra warm clothing (hats, mittens, etc.)
- Extra set of car keys
- First aid kit
- Flashlights for each family member
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries, or wind-up radio
- Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance, bank records, etc.)
- Pet food and water
- Candles, matches or lighter
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer, toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Activities for children (books, toys, etc.)
- Basic tools and duct tape
- Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
- Other camping supplies
If time allows, consider packing family photos and other items, personal computer, information on hard drives, charge cord(s), and easily carried valuables.
Prepare a home inventory checklist in case of property loss. Take pictures of valuable possessions and save bills, receipts and warranties as proof of purchase. Store in a safe place, like a safety deposit box or online for digital copies.
Additional Resources
Connect with Neighbors
Being prepared is not only about having the right supplies. Your ability to recover from unexpected situations also relies on your connections to others.
Alberta Emergency Management Agency Resources (AEMA)
Get Prepared Tips
Check out several short, 60-second videos with tips and information:
Financial Preparedness
Being prepared for an emergency also involves knowing how to manage risks at home.
Insurance
It’s important to know your home is safe and protected, especially when an emergency or disaster hits. Property insurance is essential for this security and will help you replace items lost.
- Educate yourself on what your insurance policy covers – and what it does not.
- As insurance products vary between providers, check with your insurance provider on your coverage amounts, limit maximums, deductibles, and exclusions.
- Check if your insurance policy provides coverage for:
- Evacuation costs and for how long?
- Food, clothing, medication, and lodging - is the amount enough to meet your family’s needs?
- Wildfires or other fires?
- Damage from overland flooding and flooding caused by ice jams?
- Damage from hailstorms, snowstorms, blowing snow, etc.?
- High wind events including tornadoes and funnel clouds?
- Does your policy have a sewer back-up endorsement?
- Check that your insurance coverage includes repair and rebuilding costs and how much.
- Once a year, do a video walkthrough of your home and property to verify that you have an accurate inventory of your belongings.
Types of Emergencies