Coinciding with Emergency Preparedness Week, Rocky View County and AgSafe Alberta are teaming up to provide farmers and ranchers with an opportunity to learn how to prepare and respond to emergency situations.
The Emergency Preparedness and Management workshop will take place on Thursday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rocky View County Municipal Building in Balzac.
“Rocky View County was inspired to host this workshop to educate producers in our region on the importance of being prepared for emergencies and to set them up with the proper tools to be able to respond appropriately,” said Delaney McNaughton, an agricultural services officer for Rocky View County.
The workshop will cover a range of important topics, including what emergency preparedness and management is, what an emergency action plan is, common emergency types, and ways to prevent or reduce their severity.
The workshop will also be hands-on, as participants will get the chance to develop their own Emergency Action Plan. Rocky View residents can access a template on the County’s website to develop their own emergency plans for their households. The template provides a helpful guide for residents to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
“Participants will learn key considerations when developing their plans and ways to overcome factors that could interfere with their action plans,” McNaughton said.
The workshop will feature Kaia Fosshein, the safety manager with AgSafe Alberta, as the lead presenter. AgSafe Alberta is the province's health and safety association for agricultural producers.
“They work with and support farms and ranches of all types and sizes in becoming safer places to live, work and grow up on,” McNaughton explained.
According to McNaughton, farm and ranch emergencies or natural disasters are common risks that are never planned for, but being prepared for such events can help protect families, pets, livestock, and property.
“During times of crisis, having a plan and set roles or responsibilities established helps people react and handle the circumstance, which can reduce the impacts of the emergency,” McNaughton said.
Although attendance isn't mandatory, Rocky View County and AgSafe Alberta are looking to ensure that all farmers and ranchers are prepared for emergencies and have the necessary tools and resources to deal with the unexpected.
Registration and workshop information is available on Eventbrite. There is no fee associated with registration and everyone is welcome to attend.
