The Town of High River is ramping up for Emergency Preparedness Month in May.

The Town's Director of Emergency Management Carly Benson says they'll kick it off with a get together at the Fire hall.

"The first one is a 'Get Connected BBQ' which we're doing in conjunction with the Green Sweep on May 7. So, just inviting people to come on down to the Fire Hall, have a BBQ, get to know your neighbours, meet some of the emergency responders in Town in a really informal way. And if you have any questions we're happy to answer them."

The Town will also test the siren and High River alert during the month, as well as host community workshops on being prepared for an emergency.

The pilot will consist of two workshops, divided by geographic and cultural communities.

The first workshop will be held on Saturday, May 28 and invites participants from High River’s Filipino community to take part.

The second will be held on Sunday, May 29 and invites participants from the southwest neighbourhoods of Downtown, Old Rodeo Grounds and McLaughlin Meadows.

Both workshops will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. in the second floor studio of the Charles Clark Medical Centre at 303 9 Avenue S.W.

Those interested in participating are asked to register by May 13, 2016.

“The goal of the workshops is for community members to get connected and plan for how they can respond collectively to make sure everyone is safe and to offer assistance if needed,” adds Benson.

Participants will design their own customized community disaster plan, including hazard and evacuation maps; communication plans; and a community capacity inventory.

As this project is in its pilot phase, only two workshops will be offered in the spring of 2016 with the hope the program can be expanded to additional communities in High River in the future.

The project is funded by the Centre for Community Disaster Research at Mount Royal University, Alberta Emergency Management Agency, and the Town.