HazNet
EDITOR HazNet
Lily Yumagulova
Email: editorhaznet@gmail.com
Executive Director
Ramona McVicker
Email: execdir@crhnet.ca
Haznet
The 4th Wave: This issue shows that an ability to find a silver lining in any dark cloud – an opportunity for improvements in crises and disasters – is a distinct feature of emergency management. Despite the hardships of COVID-19, it is clear that many important transformations are taking place. Voices, movements, and causes that previously struggled to be heard are now gaining traction, thanks to the pandemic. Now is the time to capitalize on the silver linings and to prepare for the next disaster. Are we prepared to lead?
Learn about We’re Ready! workshops that help communities to design and implement their own disaster preparedness program through interactive and engaging community-building activities.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a program guided by Emergency Management BC (EMBC) and delivered by First Nations or local governments to support evacuees during emergency events.
Learn about cultural safety in Emergency Social Services and how to create safe spaces, free from discrimination, where Indigenous people, families and communities can continue practicing their culture even when displaced.
Learn about some of the early challenges and successes of the vaccine roll-out across Canada and the United States based on interviews with public health experts in North America.
The pandemic highlighted the importance of applying an intersectional lens to our field of practice by acknowledging that disaster outcomes vary based on race, gender, class, education, among other identity factors. Learn about cultural safety in Emergency Social Services and how to create safe spaces, free from discrimination, where Indigenous people, families and communities can continue practicing their culture even when displaced.
Public health reimagined: As COVID-19 centered in many lives for the past 16 months, ‘public health’ became a household term. To understand the significance of public health transformation opportunities, read an interview with Dr. Michael Schwandt, a Medical Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health.
Beautiful sunsets – a silver lining of wildfires. Artwork by Sheri Lysons, Fire Chief, Adams Lake Indian Band
“There are over 300 active fires within our region. Far more within our territory. Everywhere around us are little fires. Last night we were out until 1am looking for one in Turtle Valley. All we can smell is sage and sweet grass burning. The smoke cleared yesterday for a bit, but it is back today. It gives us the most incredible sunsets. It feels like we are just waiting for a storm to hit and don’t know when it is going land but know it is going to bring destruction with it.”
What inspires you? What gives you hope? Included in the next issue we will also feature many DEMs that will showcase their “sideline special talents”. Much like the art displayed above, we know that many of our colleagues benefit from these endeavours; it assists in mental health, a well rounded and balanced life and more. There will be more details on this coming soon, but wanted to get you thinking about it! If you have anything you’d like to contribute to the next issue, please visit http://haznet.ca/how-to-contribute-3/
We hope you will join us in telling Canada’s evolving story of risk and resilience.