Yukoners are encouraged to take concrete actions to be prepared and protect themselves and their families as part of Emergency Preparedness Week from May 6 to 12.
The Government of Yukon is working together with the City of Whitehorse to raise awareness around emergency preparedness with events planned throughout the week, including:
- A wildfire documentary and discussion panel on May 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beringia Centre with Wildland Fire Management, the Emergency Measures Organization, the Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Whitehorse Fire Department.
- A test of the emergency public alerting system on compatible cell phones as well as radio and television broadcasts at 1:55 p.m., May 8, 2019. This is a reminder to Yukoners to review emergency plans and 72-hour kits.
- An Emergency Preparedness open house and barbeque at the Public Safety Building on May 11, from noon to 3 p.m. There will be emergency vehicle tours, opportunities to meet first responders and information booths with emergency preparedness information.
Emergency preparedness remains a top priority for the Yukon. As we enter into the wildfire season we regularly participate in Operation NANOOK TATIGIIT 2019, a training exercise simulating an interface fire and evacuation. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility, so we encourage Yukoners to prepare themselves and their families by making an emergency plan and ensuring they have a 72-hour kit on hand.
As residents of the Wilderness City we are especially vulnerable to hazards such as wildfires and extreme cold snaps. We all share a responsibility to ensure that we are properly prepared to face emergencies, and that starts with putting your 72-hour kit together at home. Unforeseen events can happen quickly and without warning, so please use this week as an opportunity to plan and prepare for an emergency situation.
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The Government of Yukon is hosting Operation NANOOK TATIGIIT from May 27 to June 7, 2019. This annual exercise is staged in a different territory each year and is intended to practice a whole-of-government response to a large-scale emergency in coordination with local and federal partners.
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Operation NANOOK TATIGIIT 2019 will feature a simulated wildland fire / urban interface scenario in the Whitehorse-peripheral area between Mary Lake, Cowley Lake and Mt. Lorne that will lead to a simulated evacuation and reception of simulated evacuees.
Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca
Aisha Montgomery
Communications, Community Services
867-456-6580
aisha.montgomery@gov.yk.ca
Myles Dolphin
Strategic Communications, City of Whitehorse
867-689-0515
myles.dolphin@whitehorse.ca