Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 3 to 9. It encourages residents to learn how to protect their families, homes and belongings in difficult situations. The week also highlights the importance of coming together as a community during events like severe weather or service disruptions.

Emergencies, such as severe weather like flooding and infrastructure failures like power outages, are happening more often. While these events can’t always be predicted, there are steps we can take to be better prepared to protect you, your family, property and belongings.

Step 1: Plan ahead

In an emergency, it’s important to know where to meet and who to contact. Sit down with your family and close neighbours to make an emergency plan. When planning, think about what each person is responsible for and any medical needs. This includes the needs of children and pets.

Talk to your insurance provider to make sure you have enough coverage. Be sure you know the 24/7 phone number to start a claim.

Step 2: Pack smart

Prepare an emergency kit with items you may need. Many of these items may already be in your home. Your emergency kit should reflect the essentials that matter most to your household.

This can include:

• Documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, pet records, social insurance numbers, financial information)
• Emergency contact numbers (family, friends, family doctor, insurance providers, utility companies)
• Medical items (glasses, medications, glucose monitors, walkers)

You can also add useful items like a flashlight, power bank, first-aid kit or battery operated radio. Keep these items together in a bag or backpack in one place, so you can find them quickly.

Step 3: Stay alert

During an emergency, it’s important to get information from trusted sources. These include local news, the City’s Newsroom and Peel Regional Police.

Here are other resources to help you and your family stay informed before and during an emergency:

• Alertable – provides location-based alerts for weather, hazards and community incidents.
• Environment Canada / Weather Alerts – shares severe weather warnings for Mississauga.
• Credit Valley Conservation – provides updates on river levels and water conditions within the Credit Valley Conservation watersheds.
• Toronto & Region Conservation Authority – provides updates on river levels and water conditions within the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority watersheds.

Step 4: Be connected

Strong community ties help us prepare for emergencies. When neighbours know and trust each other, it’s easier to share information, offer help, and make sure no one is left behind. People can check in and support those who may need extra help. These connections make our community stronger and help recover faster. Stay involved with your community by:

• Getting to know your neighbours
• Checking in on those who may need extra help
• Sharing helpful resources and information with others
• Volunteering with local organizations
• Joining community events

Emergency Preparedness Week events

The City’s Office of Emergency Management will host, and attend, events during Emergency Preparedness Week.

Emergencies exhibit

This exhibit highlights emergencies from Mississauga’s history. It raises awareness and shows how to prepare for similar events. It features items from the 1979 train derailment, the 2013 ice storm, the first COVID vaccine administered in the Region of Peel, and more.

Date: May 5 to 31, 2026
Time: All day
Location: Courtneypark Library
Cost: Free

Malton career day

Join the Office of Emergency Management, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services and others to learn about the work in the emergency field. There will be information booths about emergency services. The Emergency Management team will also lead a relay race that teaches which items belong in an emergency kit.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Malton Youth Hub – Jonathan Davis Centre
Who: Ages 12 to 24
Cost: Free

Emergency Preparedness Week highlights the power of preparation and community. When residents plan ahead and stay connected, we are better equipped to face emergencies together and recover faster.

Tags

• Emergency and Preparedness
• Public Safety