YT Government: Emergency Preparedness Week

Press Release

May 06, 2019

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.

Minister of Community Services, John Streicker

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.

City of Whitehorse Mayor, Dan Curtis

Quick Facts

• 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.
• 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.

Contact
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

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