Preparing Alberta’s tourism sector
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.
On this page:
Important emergency resources
What is emergency preparedness and management?
Latest information on emergency events
Alberta Emergency Alert App
Find active alerts, archived alerts and details about the alerting system.
Alberta Active Emergencies
Get updates on major active emergencies and recovery information in Alberta.
Alberta Wildfire
Get the latest information on the status and location of wildfires, fire restrictions and bans.
Alberta Floods
Understand what you can do during all stages of a flood (before, during, and after) in your area.
Alberta Drought
Stay in the know about the current drought state in Alberta and how we can mitigate the effects together.
Lessons from the industry
Five tips to minimize the risk of a disaster for your business
What is emergency preparedness and management?
There is never a wrong time to start mitigating or preparing for an emergency, no matter where you are in Alberta. Our diverse landscape—from the Rocky Mountains and foothills to the prairies and boreal forests—means that hazards vary across regions. However, the most common threats province-wide include flooding, wildfires, severe storms, high winds, and extreme temperatures.
Knowing the risks helps Albertans take appropriate actions that are unique to their circumstances. Prepared individuals and businesses are more self-reliant and will achieve better outcomes when disruptions occur, big or small.
Prepare for an emergency with help from this list
*This is not an exhaustive list and should be considered only as a reference. Each business will require tailored emergency preparedness and response plans.
When preparing your emergency preparedness and response plans and kits, consider the specific natural disasters and human-made emergencies most likely to impact your business. Tailor your plans and kits accordingly, factoring in potential scenarios and contingencies. For more information on preparing emergency response plans and kits visit Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association’s planning toolkit.
Create an emergency response team whose job it will be to ensure emergency preparedness measures are up to date and clearly communicated with staff.
Use Public Safety Canada’s emergency plan template or the Government of Alberta's emergency plan template to create your emergency response plan. This can be printed and stored with your emergency supplies.
Additional information about building an emergency response plan can be found here.
Ensure you have easily accessible digital and physical copies of the following:
- Contact lists
- Business record
- Insurance documents
- Corporate policies and documents
- Financial documents
- Crisis communications plan and communications templates
- Property maps with muster points, gas, water and electrical lines
Your emergency response plan(s) should detail how to handle different emergencies, including human-made emergencies (industrial accidents, cyberattacks, etc.,) or natural emergencies (wildfires, flooding, etc.)
Work with your local destination organizations (DOs) and local emergency services to align your emergency plans and access additional resources.
A non-exhaustive list of regional DOs:
Ensure you have emergency kits ready and available.
In an emergency, quick access to supplies and a clear chain of command are crucial. Train your staff annually on your emergency response plan, including where essential information is stored, where to find supplies, and who will be leading the response. Running through real-life scenarios ensures everyone is prepared to act effectively when it matters most.
Additional Resources
Air Quality Health Index: Understand the current air quality and if it poses health risks for outdoor activity.
Alberta Emergency Management Agency: Read the government guidelines for emergency and disaster preparedness.
Alberta Emergency Preparedness: Learn how you and your business can prepare for natural disasters, including links to valuable resources.
Emergency Apps: Download these emergency applications to your smartphone to receive real time notifications to prepare and respond to emergencies.