WORKSHOPS - Developing Disaster Resilient Strategies

1. WORKSHOPS - Developing Disaster Resilient Strategies Inspiring Successes Thoughtful Actions Community Resilience: A future for all

2. Workshop Achievements “Disasters are about people, but they are also about planning…The human story remains an object lesson” Honourable Iona Campagnolo

3. Building Resilience • Resilient people, organizations, community - a powerful focus • Learning from experience is key • “In this business we tend to use risk based models, which is not bad,but ignores a huge part of what we can examine…by including the resiliency model, the glass is now more than half full” Robin Cox, facilitator

4. “Consciously work to create a feedback loop” “Start by developing a Plan • Work on training, education, coordination • Implement the Plan • Monitor the results • Update the Plan • AND start the cycle again”

5. Public Awareness and Education -Successes • “…any community that has Emergency Social Services is a big success!” • North Vancouver School District developed a Crisis Management Plan, sessions with all Principals and Vice-Principals. • Kamloops - once a month newspaper article on emergency preparedness - follow-up common • Marie’s story: from training to disaster to barn dance!

6. Public Awareness and Education -Action! • Train translators as EP facilitators and have them give workshops • Train street nurses, case workers, staff at safe houses to get info to street people and those in group homes. • When an individual gets flu shot give them clear and simple preparedness information (e.g. 10-step action plan)

7. Buddy system established for responders returning to their community Smithers is including spouses in Critical Incident Stress Management training A provincial worker care committee published Maximizing Stress Resilience Screening manuals, stress tip posters and cards for Emergency Operations Centre, all available on web site Psycho-Social Impact on Responders Successes

8. Psycho-Social Impact on ResponderActions! • Pre-establish support systems for families of responders - include designated phone lines for families to call for information • Re-evaluate shift scheduling to give timely relief - providing for shift overlap helps ensure continuity of information flow • Have a safety officer in EO Centre and on site - ensure safety concerns include emotional and psychological health as well as physical integrity

9. Volunteer Management -Successes • A local radio club started a junior club in the high school to stimulate youth interest - working on getting credit for it • Merritt’s story: music, risk and a community plan

10. Volunteer Management -Actions! • Develop volunteer management strategies, including procedure manuals, job descriptions, recognition ceremonies • Use volunteers hard, well, fully - respect their schedules, limitations, skills, and opinions • Provide adequate training - KISS “keep it simple sweetie”

11. Health - Successes • Vancouver Coastal Health Powell River and Sunshine Coast - created mutual aid agreements • Interior Health - Identified alternative treatment sites for patients, depending on exposure to pandemic flu • Fraser Health - Hosted a pandemic awareness forum, 85 from government and public • Public Health Agency of Canada - established regional coordinator for emergency preparedness and response

12. Health - Actions! • Establish consistent education messages through PHAC and WHO collaboration • Develop rap songs and catchy jingles to engage teenagers and non-literate audiences • Establish an “engagement coordinator” in each of the health authorities to identify necessary skill sets, create a team approach and train non-traditional staff (e.g. veterinarians)

13. Critical Infrastructure - Successes • Increased emphasis on and identification of disaster Response Routes, including rail, roads and sea • PEP has been engaged with organizers of 2010 Olympics to identify and ensure Critical Infrastructure in lead up to and during games • Mapping vital points following Okanagan fires has led to a realization of what were and should be Critical Infrastructures in response strategies (e.g. satellites, energy towers etc)

14. Critical Infrastructure - Actions! • Build in redundancy for communication and critical infrastructure systems. • Reduce dependencies on critical infrastructure during emergencies by improving self-management capacities through simple technologies. • Develop relationships between stakeholders and enter into dialogue by sharing information with different organizations and levels of government as well as communities.

15. Community Emergency Program Successes • In Bella Coola first responders have earned the respect of their community - this has produced greater participation and understanding of hazards and need for preparedness. • One community is developing a Handbook for Builders of best practices relating to disaster mitigation. • First Nations presentations are underway as part of an Integrated Emergency Response Plan in the Columbia Valley. • Increased number of ESS teams being formed in small rural areas.

16. Community Emergency Program Actions! • Actively engage politicians in dialogue, if necessary bring your emergency preparedness session into the council chambers. Be strategic, capitalize on change, run for office! • Following a disaster, be strategic and proactive. Take down the Strategic Plans that are prepared and waiting. Present them to decision makers and get them passed. Timing is everything!

17. Congratulations! • Highly productive conference - achieved goals • Remarkable number and diversity of participants • Clear evidence of critical reflection and learning • Resiliency is being built • Action recommendations are powerful • Reflect lessons • Focus on increasing diversity of stakeholders and processes • Strategically designed to be practical and have maximum impact