COBOURG, ON, May 18 /CNW/ - Ontario residents should have emergency

preparedness kits for babies and toddlers, other family members, seniors, pets

and vehicles to ensure they are ready to respond to an emergency - whether

natural or human-caused, Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister

Monte Kwinter said today.

    "All levels of government have an important role to play in emergency

preparedness and response," Kwinter said. "We're on the side of families

concerned about community safety. That's why we have made it mandatory that

every home has working fire alarms and we invested $30 million to help Ontario

fire services purchase equipment and provide better training to their

firefighters.

    "And, we have also introduced Bill 56 that, if passed, would give the

Premier and Cabinet the powers they require to deal with provincially declared

emergencies," Kwinter said.

    Bas Balkissoon, Parliamentary Assistant to Kwinter, and Commissioner of

Emergency Management Julian Fantino were in Cobourg to participate in the

community's emergency services day, a follow-up to Emergency Preparedness

Week.

    "Knowing the risks and developing practical plans can help reduce fear

and aid in recovery from an emergency situation," Fantino said. "Emergency

preparedness starts with the individual and also with business owners,

municipal officials and utility operators. Ensuring business continuity,

protecting information and updating emergency plans are all just as crucial in

assuring community preparedness."

    Emergency Preparedness Week this year was May 7-13. Emergency

Preparedness Week is designed to educate individuals on how to plan ahead, and

respond accordingly during and after a disaster. Ontario participates in the

national Emergency Preparedness Week campaign along with municipalities across

the province. The theme for this, the 11th anniversary campaign, was Prepare

Now! Learn How!