Emergency Preparedness Week is officially underway after Fire Services held an open house on Sunday.

Rescue equipment was put on display for residents to understand how the Fire Department operates in certain emergency situations.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says it's important to showcase these emergency tools to residents.

"Some of the equipment we brought up from our public works operation department to showcase were portable pumps, the sandbagging machine, also some dikes which all can be utilized during high water events. I think it's important that we showcase the pieces of equipment we have purchased, that we train with, so residents know in the event of an emergency in our community that we try to be prepared for most things that come our way. "

Thevenot says with all the recent additions to the rescue equipment, it is hard to pick the most important emergency apparatus.

"I think each one has their own asset. If you look at the pumps they take care of the area downtown where the water will increase in the storm sewers. But we also have our new water rescue jet boat, we have our command trailer that can not only be used in emergency situations but also used at special events in our community, so that's an ongoing piece of equipment that can be utilized all year, so to pick one out is pretty tough."

Along with the education on rescue equipment, the open house was used to provide residents with the opportunity to sign up for emergency alerts.

"I think the biggest thing we are also promoting is our Safe Community Alert Network, or S.C.A.N. program, and it is where they can get messaging on their cellphones, emails, text messaging, calls to their landline, so residents can take away the feeling of comfort and the notification in the event of an emergency," Thevenot says.

To sign up for S.C.A.N. residents can do so by clicking here.

Okotokians also have the chance to win a 72 hour emergency kit if they sign up for the Safe Community Alert Network by May 7.

If residents have any questions about Emergency Preparedness Week, Fire Services can be reached at 403-938-4066.

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