The 2023 campaign is Build Preparedness Habits, and offers tools for residents to come up with their own preparedness plans. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Emergency Preparedness Week underway in Lethbridge

May 8, 2023 | 3:50 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is running its annual Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 7-13, 2023.

This year’s theme is “Build Preparedness Habits,” and offers a number of tools for residents to review when coming up with their own emergency preparedness plans.

In a survey done by the province in 2022, approximately 43 per cent of surveyed adults do not feel prepared for an emergency, while 87 per cent are concerned about the impacts of extreme weather.

City of Lethbridge Emergency Planning & Risk Manager Luke Palmer advises that every household should have an emergency kit. The kits should include food, water, medication and first aid supplies to last for at least three days.

He added, “Its really important that emergency preparedness starts at the individual level. Responders will get to you as soon as possible, but in the event they can’t you need to be able to take care of yourself for we’re saying up to 72 hours at that time.”

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Palmer also reminded residents to always be ready if a situation breaks out in the area, and that nowhere is free of risk.

He said, “Complacency is in human nature, something hasn’t happened here since 2011-2012 when we had wildfires. So when you see the Stats Canada statistics that only one-third of Canadians actually have an emergency kit, it kind of speaks to that complacent nature.”

In Lethbridge, the number one risk the city is looking out for is wildfires, which have been hitting the northern part of the province hard. The city has issued a fire advisory up in the River Valley area, which Parker said is a point of concern due to the natural vegetation in the area which can burn quickly.

Anyone in the River Valley area is asked to be cautious and stay safe due to the fire risks.

Alberta Health Services is offering a free two-hour E-Prep workshop online to help build emergency preparedness and emotional resilience on May 10 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. There is also an option to book individual workshops for up to 25 people on AHS’ website.

READ MORE: Fire advisory issued for Lethbridge River Valley