Emergency Preparedness Week - Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.
Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is a national awareness initiative and an opportunity for you to take action to ensure you're prepared to protect yourself, your family and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. We encourage you to understand the risks in your area and learn what actions you can take to protect yourself and your household.
This year, EP Week is May 04 - 10, 2025.
Red Dress Day
Indigenous women are six times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women, making up 16% of all female homicide victims in Canada while only representing 4.3% of the population. Red Dress Day is a national day of awareness to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.
This year, Red Dress Day is on May 5, 2025.
Schedule
Refer to the schedule below to see when the Emergency Preparedness Week and Red Dress Day Campaigns are at your campus:
| Campus | Activity | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress | Red Dress Exhibit | Month of May | All Day | Indigenous Student Space (A2-20) |
| Progress | Information Booth | Monday, May 05 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 1st Floor Common area C – Block (In front of Security Office and beside food court) |
| Progress – Residence | Information Booth | Monday, May 05 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Hospitality Building 1st Floor Common area (In front of Security Desk and beside The Local) |
| Morningside | Information Booth | Tuesday, May 06 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 1st Floor Common area (Beside Tim Hortons) |
| Ashtonbee | Information Booth | Wednesday, May 07 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | B-Block Hallway (In front of Security Office) |
| Story Arts Centre | Information Booth | Wednesday, May 07 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 1st Floor Common area (Beside Security Office) |
| Downsview | Information Booth | Thursday, May 08 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 1st Floor Common area (Beside Security Office) |
Centennial College’s Contribution
This year, Centennial College has looked to expand the conversation on preparedness, and bring together awareness, resiliency and partnership, to how we can keep ourselves and our community safe. Beyond the traditional conversations of physical hazards, we look to bring mindfulness to topics that are not often discussed or recognized.
Human trafficking remains one of the most pressing and heartbreaking human rights issues of our time. It affects individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and communities, often hidden in plain sight. Victims can be subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of exploitation—whether in labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation. Raising awareness, educating communities, and enhancing preventative measures are essential steps in the fight against this injustice.
Situational awareness is a critical tool in both personal safety and community protection. It involves being conscious of your surroundings, recognizing signs of unusual or concerning behavior, and understanding how to respond safely. On campuses, in workplaces, and within public spaces, building situational awareness can empower individuals to recognize potential risks, seek help, and potentially intervene in ways that could save lives. Education and training in situational awareness are vital components of broader efforts to reduce vulnerability to trafficking and other forms of violence.
Red Dress Day, observed annually on May 5th, is a powerful national movement to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). The red dresses displayed in public spaces serve as a poignant visual reminder of the lives lost and the silence surrounding these tragedies. Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence and trafficking, often compounded by systemic barriers and social inequities. Red Dress Day not only honors their memory but also calls on society to take action through education, advocacy, and policy change.
Together, these themes underscore the importance of vigilance, compassion, and collective responsibility. By nurturing awareness, supporting prevention initiatives, and honoring the voices of those affected, we can move toward a future where all individuals are safe, seen, and valued.
Resources
- City of Toronto Public Safety & Alerts
- City of Toronto Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency Management Organizations
- Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Learn about hazards and other emergencies
- Make an emergency plan
- Build an emergency kit
For more information, please contact ps.getprepared-preparevous.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca or call 1-800-830-3118.
This national event is coordinated by Public Safety Canada, in close collaboration with the provinces and territories and partners.
Additional Resources
Access training, support tools, and initiatives focused on creating a safer and more inclusive community.
- Connect with us
- To connect with a member of Indigenous Reconciliation and Healing, please contact: EighthFire@centennialcollege.ca
- For all other inquiries, please contact: IIRH@centennialcollege.ca
- 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
- Sexual Violence Training Modules
- Building a Culture of Consent
- The Moose Hide Campaign
- Visit our website for more resources from the Innovation, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Healing Portfolio.
Reminder
Call Campus Security and/or 911 for any medical, fire, behavioural or facility-related emergency situations that require help from Toronto Police, Paramedics or Fire emergency services. When calling 911 directly, please also contact Campus Security – using our HelpLine 416-439-4357 – so that our security team can meet and direct them to the emergency.