Emergency Preparedness takes center stage at Fanshawe College

13-year-old Caleb Vanderwerf tries out the fire hose at London's Emergency Preparedness event in London, Ont. on May 10, 2025. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)

A parking lot at Fanshawe College in London was bustling with activity Saturday as families had a chance to meet first responders and get up close and personal with the equipment they use to save lives, and keep the city safe.

“It’s really fun, it’s fun seeing all the emergency vehicles come together. I want to be a firefighter,” said 13-year-old Caleb Vanderwerf, who lined up for his turn at trying out a fire hose from a London Fire Department fire truck.

It was the main event to close out Emergency Preparedness Week for the city of London.

Director of Emergency Management for London, Paul Ladoucer, said it’s about helping the public get prepared, should the unthinkable happen.

“People experience a tornado or a mass power outage, the first thing they’re doing is calling police or they’re calling hydro, but they have to realize that those folks are already at capacity, trying to get the power back on, or clear brush and things like that. So, this is really about self-preparedness,” he said.

Ladoucer said households can prepare themselves by having essentials like a first aid kit. He said generators and wood stoves, where possible, can also be useful in an emergency situation.

“But you really have to build your kit based on your own personal needs in your family. The bigger the family, the more supplies,” he said. “If you have small children, do you have extra diapers on hand? Things like that.”

Father Andrew Hendsbee took his young son to the event. The four-year-old could be seen climbing on an Chippewa Munsee Police ATV.

Henesbee said he believes it’s important to introduce children to police at a young age, so they are comfortable around them.

“Oh, I think it’s very important. That way he knows if he ever needs help, if he ever sees them and we’re not around, he knows to go to them and he can trust them,” said Hendsbee.

The event showcased not just emergency responders like police, fire, and ambulance, but also divisions that one doesn’t always think of in an emergency, such as by-law enforcement, the city’s Forestry Division, and even towing services for when crashes take place.

The event was attended by several thousand people.