Disaster Day
Are you, or someone you know, interested in floods, wildfires, climate change, emergency response, technology such as VR and drones, public safety, or helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters?
Join us for Disaster Day 2026 a free interactive event designed specifically for high school students, young adults, and those curious about the exciting world of disaster and emergency management as well as research on crises and disasters. Learn about disaster-related studies at York University, including connections to many disciplines such as health, engineering, law, public administration, sociology, etc.
📅 Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: York University, Keele Campus (exact location will be shared upon registration)
Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and conversations with professionals and researchers, participants will discover how communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Event Highlights
🔥 Wildfire Community Challenge Work together as part of an emergency management team to protect a community during a simulated wildfire scenario. Explore the decisions emergency managers must make under pressure and see how collaboration can save lives and reduce impacts.
🚁 Virtual Reality and Drone Demonstrations See how cutting-edge technologies are used to assess damage, monitor hazards, support emergency response, and help communities reduce disaster risk.
🌪️ How Scientists Predict and Communicate Risk Learn how mathematicians, emergency managers, and researchers use science to predict and communicate hazard impacts.
📋 What Is It Like to Be an Emergency Manager? Meet professionals working in disaster and emergency management and explore possible career pathways in public safety, emergency planning, risk reduction, and community resilience.
🏢 Community Partner Showcase Connect with organizations working on disaster preparedness, emergency response, and humanitarian assistance, including:
Canadian Red Cross
Team Rubicon Canada
Emergency Management Ontario
Additional community and emergency management partners
🔍 Disaster Day Scavenger Hunt Explore the event while completing challenges and learning activities. All participants who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a draw for a $100 prize.
Registration is free, but spaces are limited.
register today ! We hope you will join us for an afternoon of learning, exploration, and discovery as we work together toward safer and more resilient communities.
