The safety of both yourself and your family is paramount in any emergency situation. The City of Cranbrook, along with Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services and the RCMP are again encouraging both residents and business owners alike to ensure they are capable of being completely self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours in the event of a serious emergency situation.

“We encourage our residents to prepare themselves to be capable of being completely self-sufficient for a 72 hour period minimum, in an emergency,” said Mayor Scott Manjak. “Having a well stocked emergency kit in your home, and a well laid out family emergency plan will allow you and your family to better handle long term emergency situations, like gas or hydro outages, storms or other potential emergency situations.”

The best bet for city residents in the event of an emergency is to be prepared and know that they can be self sufficient for at least three days, said Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services Chief Wayne Price.

“One of the most significant considerations for residents is that emergency services may not be readily available, as increasing demands will be placed on responders during these events. It may take us some time to get to you as we help those in most critical need first,” Price said

By knowing the potential hazards around you, preparing and practicing a plan and creating and maintaining a proper emergency kit, you will be better prepared for any emergency.

“Residents should consider the most basic, but important items, in your home emergency kit,”, said city communications officer Chris Zettel. “Things like water, canned or dried foods, a manual can opener, flashlights, battery powered radios, a well stocked first aid kit, prescription meds, extra keys and cash are all important components of any good emergency kit.”

For information on how to best prepare yourself and your family for any type of unforeseen emergency, visit www.getprepared.gc.ca or www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/Personal_.

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