Emergency Preparedness Week 2025: Know your risks and plan for every season

Fires, severe storms, power outages, accidents – emergencies can strike any time, anywhere, and without warning. Whatever the weather, event or activity, planning is an important part of being safe and prepared during an emergency. 

Emergency Preparedness Week is provincially and nationally designated. This year, it runs from May 4 – 10. Ontario’s theme is “Plan for Every Season,” which complements the national theme of “Be Prepared, Know Your Risks.” The themes represent the range of seasonal hazards we face throughout the year.  

“Emergency Preparedness Week is a time to review your emergency plans – or to develop them if you haven’t done so yet,” says Brandi Timpson, Manager of Administration and Emergency Preparedness. “Take some time to set aside important supplies and ensure everyone in your household is aware of emergency plans. By knowing your risks and planning for every season, you can be ready for anything that might come your way throughout the year.” 

Learn more and get prepared:

• Review our Emergency Preparedness Guide.
• Create an emergency plan and practice with your household.
• Put together an emergency kit that allows you to shelter in place (stay at home) for at least 72 hours.
• Make Go Bags – an emergency kit that allows you and your family to be self-sustainable for 72 hours – for everyone in your home, including pets, in case you need to evacuate.  

Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) will be sharing valuable resources and tools throughout the week on their social media channels, Facebook and X, to educate and help you prepare to respond to emergencies of all kinds. Be sure to follow along on KFR’s social media this week to learn more about emergency planning and participate in contests. 

“We encourage you to always plan ahead, whether you’re out on the lake, taking a road trip, doing spring cleanup on your property, or hunkering down ahead of a snowstorm. Being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency situation,” says Timpson.