Insurer, Red Cross team up for emergency preparedness training in wake of Canadian disasters

Economical Insurance has committed $150,000 annually over the next three years to the Canadian Red Cross, to provide more emergency preparedness sessions across the country.

The new partnership comes in the wake of severe flooding and intense rainstorms in southern Alberta and southern Ontario over the past several weeks.

The partnership will provide 175 emergency preparedness sessions to about 3,500 people each year across Canada, including Calgary, Edmonton,Vancouver, Halifax, Moncton, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Toronto, Mississauga and Ottawa regions, according to Economical.

“We are proud to partner with the Canadian Red Cross and help build safer communities,” Karen Gavan, the insurer’s president and CEO said in its announcement.

“Through this National Disaster partnership, we are helping Red Cross deliver training that helps prepare people for emergencies so they are better able to help themselves and assist those who cannot, including children, isolated seniors and persons with disabilities,” she added.

The training helps individuals cope during the first 72 hours following an emergency and is designed to reduce personal injury and loss of life and enhance community resilience.

Currently, the Canadian Red Cross delivers at least 850 emergency preparedness sessions across Canada to some 15,000 individuals.

The insurance industry in general has responded with resources and major donations following the Alberta and Ontario severe weather, as well as the Lac-Mégantic train explosion in Quebec.  

Image: Flooding in Alberta. (Credit: Canadian Red Cross)