Sask. Red Cross launches emergency alert and planning app

Summer storm season is nearly upon us and Saskatchewan can be particularly susceptible to what that can bring.

It could be flooding, tornadoes, wildfires or power outages caused by lightning, so having information on your smartphone may be a good thing. Now that information is available through the Red Cross Be Ready app. It features an alert system which includes the capability to monitor and track weather developments and help plan your family’s response.

The app tests you on your emergency preparedness knowledge, helps you to brush up on the information you might need in an emergency, and you can purchase items for an emergency preparedness kit.

“Really it starts with developing your plan, talking to your family about the plan, in case anything did happen in your community or to your family, what is the course of action you are going to take,” explained Dave Kybe, emergency preparedness coordinator for Red Cross Saskatchewan.

The app can be downloaded on all Apple and Android phones.

Be Ready is available in both English and French and is being launched as part of Emergency Preparedness Week, May 1 to 7, 2016.