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City holds sessions on emergency preparedness

Public is invited to learn about volcanoes and the benefits of risk assessment.

Members of the Abbotsford Emergency Program, Natural Resources Canada and Insurance Bureau of Canada will be hosting information sessions in Abbotsford during Emergency Preparedness Week from May 5 to 9.

Emergency kits will be on sale on May 5 and 7 in the city hall foyer from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as presentations on personal preparedness at noon.

Dr. Melanie Kelman, volcanologist, and John Oakley from Emergency Management BC, will hold a presentation on Mt. Baker and the risks for Abbotsford on Tuesday, May 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (MCA) in city hall.

Kelman studies the several hundred potentially active volcanoes in British Columbia and the Yukon and is currently completing a volcanic hazard susceptibility map of Canada, which shows areas most likely to be affected by volcanic ash that may fall during future eruptions.

The benefit of risk assessment for Abbotsford will be the focus of a presentation by Nicki Hastings of Natural Resources Canada on Thursday, May 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at city hall.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Insurance Bureau of Canada will hold an information session on coverage.

The public can register for any of these free sessions at abbotsford.ca/emergencyweek. For more information contact the Abbotsford Emergency Preparedness Program office at 604-864-5694 or srai@abbotsford.ca.