Hundreds of people are attending the emergency services and preparedness event in London

Hundreds of people braved the morning rain to get close to emergency service personnel in London, Ont.

The children were excited to climb aboard the emergency vehicles and participate in emergency activities.

“This is a chance for the community to come out and see what they don’t often get a chance to see,” said Paul Ladouceur, director of emergency management at the City of London. “It’s what happens behind the scenes when we have an emergency in the City of London and how all our partners come together and work together to make sure London stays safe.”

Those taking part included London Fire Department, London Health Sciences Centre, Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Salvation Army, London Search and Rescue, City of London Climate Change, River Thames Conservation Authority from top, Fanshawe College, Canadian Blood Services, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, Canadian Red Cross, London Hydro, Middlesex London Paramedic Service and London Police Service.

Taylor Simmons, public safety educator in emergency management for the City of London presents a sample emergency kit on May 11, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

Inside the fire hall on Boler Road, the city was also showing how to build a basic emergency kit.

“You should have food and water for up to three days, prescriptions, copies of your medications and any important documents you have,” explained Taylor Simmons, Public Safety Educator for Emergency Management at the City of London. “You’ll also want to have things like a flashlight or a radio so you can get emergency updates. You also want to have extra clothing and blankets to keep you warm if there is a power outage.”

The city said the event is about learning and public education.

“Many times people don’t think about preparedness until after an emergency occurs,” Ladoceur said. “We have all these partners who are paid full-time and experienced in emergency management, but it takes more than that, it takes a community to come together and be fully prepared. This kind of education saves lives.”

Children were able to climb aboard emergency vehicles during the City of London Emergency Preparedness Open Day on May 11, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)