Emergency Preparedness Week: Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.

Emergencies can happen at any time, often with little or no warning. Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3–9, 2026) is a national initiative that encourages residents to take simple, practical steps to be better prepared before an emergency occurs.

Preparedness doesn’t need to be overwhelming. It’s something that can be built over time, one step at a time, and it helps protect you, your family, and your community when it matters most.

Know the Risks in Lacombe County

Understanding the types of emergencies that could affect our area is the first step to being prepared. In Lacombe County, potential hazards may include:

• Wildfires/grass fires, especially during dry and windy conditions
• Flooding and heavy rainfall, which can impact roads and low‑lying areas
• Severe winter and summer storms, including blizzards, tornadoes, lightning, extreme heat/cold, and power outages
• Road closures and service disruptions caused by weather or other emergencies

Knowing what could happen helps you decide what supplies, plans, and information you may need.

Make a Plan

An emergency plan helps everyone in your household know what to do if something unexpected happens. Your plan should include:

• Emergency contact numbers (written down, not just stored in phones)
• A meeting place for family members
• Evacuation routes and alternate routes
• Plans for pets, livestock, medications, or mobility needs

Talking about these details ahead of time can reduce stress and confusion during an emergency.

Build an Emergency Kit

During an emergency, help may not arrive right away—especially in rural areas. That’s why households are encouraged to be able to manage on their own for at least 72 hours.

An emergency kit may include:

• Water and non‑perishable food
• Medications and medical supplies
• Flashlight, batteries, and a battery‑powered radio
• Copies of important documents
• Warm clothing, blankets, and basic tools

You don’t need to build a kit all at once. Start with what you have and add items over time. Here is a great resource for purchasing or building emergency kits for your family, home or car: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/emergency-kits.html

Stay Informed with Emergency Alerts

Having accurate, timely information during an emergency can make a critical difference.

Voyent Alert! is Lacombe County’s official emergency alerting system. It delivers trusted notifications about emergencies such as wildfires, evacuations, severe weather, road closures, and service disruptions.

Residents can:

• Choose the locations they care about
• Receive alerts by text message, email, smartphone app, or landline phone
• Get information that is specific and relevant to them

Emergency Preparedness Week is a great time to make sure you’re signed up.

Learn more and register at www.lacombecounty.com/alert 

Preparedness Is a Community Effort

Emergency preparedness isn’t just about individual households—it’s about looking out for one another. Checking on neighbours, especially seniors or those who may need extra assistance, helps strengthen the whole community.

By taking a few simple steps now, you can feel more confident, prepared, and ready for whatever comes next.

Be prepared. Know your risks. Stay informed.