The City of Penticton continues to work towards becoming an even more age-friendly community by working with Aging Well Penticton to offer an emergency preparedness workshop for seniors.
Team members from Aging Well Penticton, Penticton Emergency Support Services, the Penticton Fire Department Emergency Program and FireSmart will talk about emergency preparedness specifically for older adults.
Participants will also have a chance to create a ‘Grab and Go’ bag, which will include some supplies provided by the City (valued at more than $60) that older adults may need in the first 72 hours after an emergency.
The workshop takes place on June 8 at 2 pm in Room 4 of the Penticton Community Centre during Seniors Week 2022. It is free to attend. Participants must pre-register, and all participants will receive the start of a 72-hour emergency kit.
“Thank you to Aging Well Penticton for bringing this idea forward to the City’s emergency program staff,” says Brittany Seibert, the City’s Emergency Program Coordinator. “As recognized in the Age Friendly Action Plan, older adults have unique considerations and preparation needs to be ready for an emergency so we are very happy to partner on this workshop.”
Some of the topics that will be covered during the workshop include:
- Creating a personal/household emergency plan
- Appropriate insurance coverage for disasters/emergencies
- Emergency Support Services available before, during and after an emergency
- Using FireSmart to reduce the impacts of wildfire on your home
To register, visit www.penticton.ca/agefriendly, email SocialDevelopment@penticton.ca, or call 250-490-2400.
As approved by Council on May 17, there is free transit during Seniors Week for those 55+ years old to use to get to and from the workshop and other activities.
“On behalf of City Council, I would like to encourage all Penticton residents to please make a plan now of what you will do to safely evacuate yourself and family members in the event of an emergency,” says Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki.
As wildfire season approaches, the City of Penticton and Penticton Fire Department would like to remind residents of all ages to ensure they have an emergency kit ready at all times, an evacuation plan, and know where to access information during an emergency. More information is available on the City’s emergency preparedness website at www.penticton.ca/emergencypreparedness.
As older adults may access information in different ways, the City is asking residents to share information about this workshop with family, friends, and neighbours that may not have access to traditional media channels.