We all have a responsibility to ensure our communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies.
When is Emergency Preparedness Week?
May 3 through 9, 2026, is Emergency Preparedness Week. This week is an opportunity for us all to ensure that we're prepared for emergencies. This year’s theme is "Be Prepared. Know Your Risks."
Who coordinates this week?
Public Safety Canada coordinates this national event in close collaboration with the provinces, territories and other partners. The annual event has been running for over 27 years and traditionally occurs the first week of May. For more information, visit Public Safety Canada's "Get Prepared" website.
What's happening in the Yukon?
Protective Services is running a campaign to ensure Yukoners know how to get prepared. Start by preparing an emergency plan and an emergency kit.
Yukoners can participate in the following events and activities:
Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25: FireSmart Festival
- Hosted by the Wildfire Awareness Society, City of Whitehorse FireSmart, Whitehorse Emergency Management, and Government of Yukon's Wildland Fire Management
- Stories, fire safety tips, films and fun for the kids (including childcare)
- Learn more and read the full schedule on the Eventbrite page.
Saturday, May 2, 12 pm to 3:30 pm: Mount Lorne Emergency Preparedness Day
- Hosted by Mt. Lorne Emergency Planning Committee and Mt. Lorne Volunteer Fire Department
- Located at 21 Robinson Subdivision Road
- Evacuation and fire demos, door prizes, vendor tables
- BBQ and drinks
- Guest speaker Kris Johnson (Senior Emergency Response Officer, Wildland Fire Management)
- Visit www.mtlorne.ca/emergency for more information.
Monday, May 4, to Saturday, May 9: Dawson Emergency Preparedness Week
- Hosted by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and City of Dawson, join agencies involved in keeping our community safe for a variety of fun and informative sessions for all ages. Meet with responders, ask questions, learn how to keep yourself and your household safe. Most of all, participate in individual events, or all of them to fill out your passport for a chance at some great prizes from some fantastic sponsors!
- Events all week including Fire Safety Day, Pet Planning, Emergency Kit, Neighbourhood Safety, Sandbagging, BBQ & Yard Sale, and Water Safety Day.
- Visit the Facebook event page for a full schedule.
Wednesday, May 6, 1:55 pm: AlertReady emergency alerting system test
- A planned test of the AlertReady emergency alerting system will occur at approximately 1:55 pm Yukon Standard Time.
- The test message will be sent to cell phones, radio and cable TV.
- Visit the AlertReady website to learn more about emergency alerting, and to complete a feedback survey after the test on Wednesday.