Emergency Preparedness

Be Ready Year-Round
Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness in Alberta

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Being prepared is a year-round responsibility.
By taking a few simple steps, you can help protect yourself, your business, and your
community before an emergency happens.

What Is Emergency Preparedness?

Preparedness is an ongoing process and it’s never one-size-fits-all. Breaking emergency planning down into manageable steps empowers Albertans to take action any time of year. Whether you live in the Foothills, the Rockies, or the Prairies, being prepared helps reduce risks and supports faster recovery when emergencies happen.

98% of Alberta tourism businesses are small businesses.

Many operators believe they do not have the resources (time) to develop emergency management

plans for their operations, or that they don’t need to plan for an emergency because

they are not an accommodation provider.

In an effort to direct operators to start their planning journey, easily, TIAA has compiled a list of high
level operator guides as a starting point for operators with limited resources.

Emergency Preparedness Resources
for Alberta Tourism Operators

Emergencies can affect travel, visitors and businesses at any time. Preparing for an emergency can

help your business navigate the situation better and recover more quickly.

TIAA recommends all Alberta tourism operators take 3 steps:

1. Develop a Response Plan

Create and regularly update a basic emergency response plan, including evacuation procedures and staff training.

Start your organization’s planning journey with these resources which provide:

Up-to-date emergency information on wildfires, floods, droughts, and more
Printable emergency guides tailored for tourism operators, including wildfire, smoke, drought, and flooding preparedness.
Emergency preparedness checklists to help businesses plan and respond effectively.
Lessons from the industry, sharing insights from past emergency events to aid in future preparedness.
Templates and tools for creating customized emergency response plans.

By leveraging these resources, tourism businesses can enhance their resilience and ensure the safety of their staff and guests.

AHLA Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning Resources

AHLA Emergency Response Template for Hotel and Hospitality Operators (pdf)
Small Tourism Operator Emergency Plan BC Template (pdf)

2. Educate Visitors:

Establish communication systems with your staff to inform customers with clear information from trusted sources on safety, wildfire, flood or other risk updates, and emergency protocols at check-in points along their vacation journey enhances both actual and perceived safety. Use multiple platforms to keep staff and visitors informed with correct information from trusted sources..

*at minimum it is recommended all staff have access to the Alberta Emergency Alert App on their device Alberta Emergency Alert – Alberta Open Government Blog (app links for Android and iPhone at bottom of page).

Visitor Facing Messages

Travel Alberta Emergency Management Resource Hub

3. Strengthen Communication and Collaboration

Establish reliable communication channels with your local municipality and Destination Management Organization (DMOs).

5 Steps to Get Prepared for Individuals and Families

1. Know the Risks

Alberta’s unique landscape means we experience a range of hazards, including:

Wildfires

Flooding

Severe storms

Extreme temperatures

High winds

Learn how to identify local risks and take steps to prepare.
Know the risks – Government of Alberta

3. Make an Emergency Plan

Only 24% of Albertans report having a household emergency plan. Build yours using Public Safety Canada’s step-by-step guide.

Include things like:

Shelter-in-place strategies

Evacuation plans

Financial readiness

Pet and livestock care

Emergency contacts

Make a plan and get prepared with Public Safety Canada’s emergency planning tool

5. Build Community Connections

Strong social networks help communities recover faster.

Get to know your neighbours

Partner with local organizations to support vulnerable people

Host or attend local preparedness workshops or info sessions

Check in on each other before, during, and after emergencies

Research shows that communities with strong social connections experience better outcomes following emergency and disasters, including reduced impacts and recovery time. The 2024 Preparedness Survey of Albertans reports that of those surveyed, only 23% have a community support network in place.