Moving to Canada means learning a new set of emergency procedures, from knowing when to call 911 to understanding how public alerts work. For Indian families settling in the country, learning these basics can help them respond more confidently when an emergency occurs.
This guide covers some basic emergency preparedness steps for Indian families settling in Canada. It is not a substitute for certified first-aid training. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
The focus also comes as World First Aid Day approaches in September, with the 2026 campaign highlighting first aid in migration settings. The United Nations estimated that 304 million people were international migrants in 2024.
Some emergencies are obvious, such as severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness or an immediate threat to someone’s safety. For newcomers, however, knowing which emergency service to contact and how the system works can take some getting used to.
The Canadian Red Cross points to a few markers that are worth paying attention to:
First-aid training can help people recognise emergencies and respond appropriately. If you are unsure whether a situation poses an immediate threat to life, seek emergency assistance rather than attempting to assess or treat a serious condition yourself.
Canada has Good Samaritan protections that can provide legal protection to people who voluntarily assist someone in an emergency, although the rules vary by province and territory.
Good Samaritan laws in Canada can protect people who voluntarily provide emergency assistance, but protections differ across provinces and territories. Newcomers should not assume that one rule applies nationwide.
Getting comfortable with Canada’s emergency system takes a bit of orientation. A few things worth knowing:
Beyond first aid, Canada also runs a National Public Alerting System, publicly branded as Alert Ready, which is a joint effort between federal, provincial and territorial governments alongside industry partners, according to Public Safety Canada. It pushes out warnings about imminent hazards through compatible wireless devices, television and radio, and is built on a shared technical backbone called the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System, operated by Pelmorex Corp, the company behind The Weather Network.
Newcomer families can check their phone’s compatibility and learn what an alert looks and sounds like on the Alert Ready website, so the first time an emergency alert goes off is not the first time they’re seeing one.
For Indian families settling in Canada, knowing how 911, emergency alerts and basic first-aid resources work can make it easier to respond quickly during a crisis. Preparing in advance is particularly useful for households with children, older adults or family members who take regular medication.
The aim is not to prepare for every possible emergency, but to know the basics before one happens: when to call 911, how to receive alerts and what your household needs to stay safe for the first few days of a crisis.
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments. A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences. Experience Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting. At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways. Expertise Her core areas of reporting include: • Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information. • Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments. • Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities. Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration. Authoritativeness and trustworthiness Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
