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The City and County of Grande Prairie including the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley are united in their commitment to the safety and well-being of their residents. Together, they are emphasizing the importance of Emergency Preparedness Week, a national and provincial initiative running May 5 through May 11 which encourages planning, preparation, and readiness for emergency events. 

Emergency Preparedness Week emphasizes the importance of being ready for emergencies that could unexpectedly impact our communities. The theme 'Be prepared. Know your risks.' encourages residents to understand the challenges specific to their area and empowers them to learn what actions they can take to protect themselves and their families. 

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, the City and County of Grande Prairie are launching a series of social media campaigns based on the 'Be Prepared' theme, aimed at educating both communities and residents on practical steps to prepare for emergencies. Content will provide guidance on building an emergency kit, preparing pets for emergencies, and planning for evacuation, just to name a few. These resources are designed to equip residents with the necessary tools and knowledge to safeguard themselves and their families effectively.  

About GPREP 

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) plays a pivotal role in our region's ability to respond to emergencies efficiently. As a collaborative effort among the City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie, and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, GPREP coordinates resources, training, and response strategies to address large-scale emergencies.  

During Emergency Preparedness Week, these five municipalities are educating their communities about preparedness while showcasing GPREP and its emergency management practices. These efforts underline the power of collaboration in enhancing community safety and resilience, reminding us of the importance of being prepared and the effective mechanisms GPREP has in place to protect residents and their properties during crises.  

“All municipalities presented a joint effort under GPREP during the Dunes West Wildfire,” said County of Grande Prairie Reeve, Bob Marshall. “Staff wore two hats, supporting the wildfire response and getting our evacuated residents back home within two weeks, all while keeping our municipal day-to-day business running. 

“GPREP's previous activations in recent events demonstrated the importance of joint emergency management,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “The partnership among our municipalities enables effective resource-sharing and communication, helping to protect our communities and better respond to significant emergencies. We’re proud to partner together again for Emergency Preparedness Week as another way we’re working together and empowering our communities to keep the region safe.”   

“Partnering with GPREP allows our municipalities to work together, share resources, and coordinate responses to large-scale emergencies,” said Town of Sexsmith Mayor, Kate Potter. “This collaborative approach ensures we are better prepared to handle disasters like wildfires, floods, and other critical situations.” 

“GPREP’s focus on continuous training and readiness ensures that our personnel are well-equipped to respond effectively to emergencies. By conducting regular exercises and prioritizing mental health resources, we can better support our responders and communities in times of crisis,” said Town of Wembley Mayor, Kelly Peterson. 

“GPREP's effectiveness in emergency response was demonstrated during the 2023 Dunes West Wildfire – from establishing a command centre to executing response plans, highlights GPREP's ability to adapt and coordinate across municipalities,” said Town of Beaverlodge Mayor, Gary Rycroft. “The Dunes fire is just one example of GPREP’s success in providing a unified and effective response.” 

For more detailed information and additional resources, residents are encouraged to visit Alberta's official emergency preparedness website. To learn more about GPREP visit: gprep.ca. 

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Media Contacts: 
Bob Marshall 
Reeve 
County of Grande Prairie 
communications@countygp.ab.ca    

Pam Trerice 
Communications Strategist 
City of Grande Prairie 
communications@cityofgp.com