With May being "Emergency Preparedness Month," if you haven't already, now's the best time to sign up for the Town of High River's "Emergency Alert System."

The system sends out texts and phone calls warning those signed up about any emergencies, as they happen.

Director of Emergency Management with the Town, Carly Benson, says it's easy to sign up.

"So you just go to our website HRReady.ca and we've made it as simple and painless as possible to sign up. And it's also the same link you can take to make sure your information is correct."

She says almost 4,900 households in High River are already part of the network receiving warnings.

The Town will hold a test of the system Wednesday, May 3, around Noon.

From a release from the Town of High River:

“The purpose of Emergency Preparedness Month is to highlight the importance for residents and businesses to be prepared,” says Mayor Craig Snodgrass. “We also use this month as an opportunity to review our emergency management program and provide additional staff training.”

There will be several components to the month:

·        Live test of emergency notification systems (outdoor sirens and High River Alert) - May 3
·        Publication of the new and improved Household Emergency Guide
·        A Community Café  with a focus on Safety & Security - May 10
·        Neighbourfest – May 19 to June 25

“We are excited to be piloting a new program this year called Neighbourfest. Community and neighbourhood connections are such an important part of preparedness, and that’s our focus for this year,” says Carly Benson, emergency management coordinator with the Town. “This program will provide a block party starter kit, emergency preparedness information and icebreaker games to any neighbourhoods hosting a block party from Friday, May 19 to Sunday, June 25.”

To order a starter kit to host a block party, or to book the Block Party Trailer, contact Caitland Asmundson, community development worker, at (403) 603-3447 or community@highriver.ca.

“Safe communities are connected communities. Building strong relationships within communities and neighbourhoods is one of the most important steps we can take to be prepared for any type of incident,” says Asmundson. “That’s why we're launching Neighbourfest, to support community get-together's to encourage and facilitate building these relationships.”

Town staff will also spend May preparing for all types of emergencies by participating in annual Emergency Operations Centre training.

This includes a support services-specific training on Thursday, May 11.

“Staff at the Town spend the month participating in practice exercises in preparation for the spring and summer seasons,” says Benson. “We're preparing and you should too, by subscribing to High River Alert, updating your personal and business emergency plans, and taking time this month to review and practice your plan with your family.”