Following the tornado that touched down in the Port Bolster community this past weekend, the Town of Georgina Fire Department would like to remind all residents and businesses of the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies.

“We have experienced two major weather-related emergencies so far this year; an ice storm that affected much of the town and a confirmed tornado in Port Bolster,” Fire Chief Ron Jenkins said.

“These incidents serve as important reminders of the need for everyone to be prepared for an emergency and be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours or more.”

Georgina residents, however, have had other emergencies to weather this year, as well, including prolonged power outages, extreme heat alerts resulting in the opening of cooling centres and a garbage truck fire that forced the evacuation of a north Keswick neighbourhood just south of the Ice Palace.

“You cannot predict emergencies, but you can prepare for them,” Jenkins said.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to review the Town’s Emergency Preparedness webpage, which includes a link to the Regional Municipality of York’s Emergency Preparedness Guide:https://www.georgina.ca/living-here/fire-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness

For more information on emergency preparedness or any other fire safety related inquiries, residents are encouraged to contact the Georgina Fire Department at 905-476-5167 or visit the Town’s website atwww.georgina.ca