In a city with a risk of tornado, flood, winter storms and so much more, empowering children with the knowledge of how to prepare and take action during an emergency or disaster is the best way to keep them safe. That’s why The City of Calgary developed the Ready Squad, a fun and interactive 20-minute online course targeted to kids age 7-12.
“Children are often overlooked when it comes to disaster planning but teaching them about emergencies and having them contribute to emergency action plans will increase their resilience to disaster and improve safety for the whole family,” says Tom Sampson, Chief of Calgary Emergency Management Agency.
The Ready Squad course teaches children important emergency preparedness skills and protective actions, in a fun way. Kids will learn: what the disaster risks in Calgary are, such as floods and tornadoes; ways to prepare, like creating a home evacuation plan and having household emergency supplies; what to do during common emergencies and how to stay informed; and understand what to expect when recovering from a disaster.
Children are more physically and emotionally vulnerable to disasters than adults. Research indicates that empowering them with knowledge and awareness in advance of a disaster will keep them safer and more resilient to trauma they may endure during an event. In addition, children are great messengers and will spread this important emergency preparedness information to their friends, family, and other members of their community.
There is no need to register or sign up for the course. Simply visit calgary.ca/readysquad and click on the link to take the free course and become a Ready Squad member.
