By Christina Kelly An unwavering commitment to emergency management Christina’s unwavering commitment to emergency management is evident in her current roles. She serves as the Emergency Program Manager, Director of Emergency Support Services (ESS) for …
Practice
Expressive writing and the mental health challenges of forest fire and smoke
By Joanne Feenstra On July 17, 2024, a huge thunderstorm rumbled down the narrow Slocan Lake Valley. Each side of the valley sustained multiple hits of lightning and countless wildfires sprung up. The residents of Slocan, a small, low income, waterfron …
Rebuilding community (while rebuilding the community): A holistic recovery model for the 21st century
By Trisha McOrmond Contemporary Emergency Management (EM) originated in the 1950s with the civil defence which assisted communities overwhelmed by extreme events (Public Safety Canada, 2015). Today, the task-oriented goals of early EM remain, ‘get in, …
You belong: Toward more inclusive emergency management
By Lilia Yumagulova In this new series, we address key issues for diversity and inclusion in emergency management. Diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognized as key ingredients to fostering a sense of belonging. We do better when we feel that …
Resources for ethics in emergency management
By David Etkin Over the past few years, there has been an increasing focus on the importance of ethics to the emergency management profession. This article provides a description of some recent resources that have been published to support emergency ma …
Build Back Better, Together with Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil
Video presentation by Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, summary written by Cindy Marven On January 12, 2023, Preparing Our Home hosted an online sharing circle, led by Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, to provide insight into the formation of the Emergency Plannin …
Firefighting families
Sheri Lysons, Fire Chief, Adams Lake Indian Band with her daughter and grandson. Photo provided by Lilia Yumagulova. By Lilia Yumagulova A heavy snowfall covers the burnt landscape with a white blanket. We are driving through the charred landscape of t …
An antidote to disaster despair: Art and community
By Katia Tynan Over the past two years, communities across British Columbia have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 heat dome, forest fires, landslides, and flooding. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of …