WORKING WITH FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT John Byrne Director General, Disaster Management 17 October 2012
CANADIAN RED CROSS MISSION To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality 2
WORKING TOGETHER Memorandum of Understanding between AFN and Canadian Red Cross: -Emergency management -Water safety, boating safety and first aid -Abuse and violence prevention -International and humanitarian issues Signed May 2007 3
Water Safety First Aid Violence and Abuse Prevention Disaster Management 4
Programming in First Nation, Inuit and Metis Communities From 2009-2011 5
DISASTER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE Director General Disaster Management National Office Disaster Management Western Ontario Quebec Ontario Atlantic Dir Programs DM DM North DM DM Toront o Regional Mgrs BC AB SK MB Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. NB NS PEI NL Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. Prov. Dir. DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr DM Mgr
DISASTER MANAGEMENT SERVICES Support to first response initiatives of government authorities 72 hours of assistance Relief assistance beyond 72 hours Recovery assistance for the long-term Provide Six Emergency Social Services Family Reunification Reception & Information Emergency Lodging, Clothing, Food and Personal Services Non-Traditional roles Family Support Centres Evacuation Hub Support 7
WHAT WE DO IN CANADA Assist affected individuals with basic needs 46,719 people assisted in Canada in 2011-2012 Well over 100,000 volunteer hours dedicated to helping Canadians Responded on average 5 times per day Educate Canadians Personal preparedness workshops delivered daily 15,126 Canadians reached with preparedness messages 8
HUMAN RESOURCES 6,000 2015 Targets Trained Volunteers 6,650 Skills & Training 5,500 One national training program for interoperability across the country 9
DISASTER MANAGEMENT OUR PRESENCE ACROSS CANADA 14 365 415 252 275 2241 1721 290 203 47 374 Core Volunteers Total: 6197 CRC Office 10
RECENT RESPONSE ACTIVITIES 11
INDIAN BROOK FIRST NATION, NOVA SCOTIA Water Shortage September 12, 2012 2475 residents affected 45,000 litres of water distributed 12
NORTH WEST RIVER & SHESHATSHIU, LABRADOR Evacuation Forest Fire June 23-26, 2012 Red Cross assisted with registration of 883 residents at 9 Wing, Goose Bay Residents provided shelter by DND at barracks Red Cross supplies including blankets, comfort kits, infant items and comfort bears distributed. 13
2010 MAURICIE AREA FIRES (QUEBEC) 26 May 2 June, 2010 65,000 hectares destroyed 2,600 homes evacuated Three First Nation communities and one municipality affected: Wemotaci La Tuque Manawan Joliette Obedjiwan Roberval Parent Mont-Laurier 14
CANADIAN RED CROSS ASSISTANCE TO THE MAURICIE AREA FIRES (QUEBEC) Two reception centres: 2,651 persons registered Five emergency shelters: 8,325 cots, blankets, pillowcases and comfort kits delivered for: 450 persons/night in shelters/commercial lodging 744 persons provided clothing Red Cross volunteer engagement: 472 volunteers involved 3,996 hours of volunteer service 15
MATTAGAMI FIRST NATION, ON May 23-28, 2012 Fires threatening Timmins and numerous towns Red Cross mobilized to be ready for 10,000 evacuees. 156 residents were from Mattagami FN Red Cross provided R&I as well as personal services in Kapuskasing who served as host community 16
SANDY LAKE FIRST NATION, ON July 29 August 6, 2012 Evacuation of vulnerable populations due to heavy smoke blowing into the community. 620 people evacuated to Thunder Bay and Fort Frances Provided Registration & Inquiry, Shelter and Personal Services 17
WESTERN CANADA SEVERE WEATHER Evacuations Flooding and Forest Fires March 2011 current time Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba evacuations with 8,161 First Nation residents assisted to date 19 First Nation communities assisted Red Cross supplies including cots, blankets, comfort kits, infant items, comfort bears, tents, and clean-up kits 18
WESTERN CANADA SEVERE WEATHER Red Cross centres including: reception centres shelters Red Cross services including: registration and inquiry, community outreach, psychosocial support services Other Red Cross services including: mould education sessions, violence and abuse prevention workshops, recreation activities, and community gatherings. 19
DEYLU DENE FIRST NATION, BC - FLOODING June, 2012 Case assessments Food, clothing, lodging assistance Partnered with AANDC providing referrals on community needs such as: Rodent control Garbage removal Fire wood replacement Psychosocial supports Currently assisting with winter clothing, freezers and storage containers 20
KEY INITIATIVES - First Nation staff in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario and soon a National Director - Many First Nation volunteers - Red Cross Offices on Blood Reserve, AB and at Fort Qu Appelle, SK - Ontario to establish Red Cross office at Moose Cree and another in southern Ontario 21
FUTURE PLANS 22
SUMMARY First Nation communities and the Canadian Red Cross have a rich history of working together Canadian Red Cross is committed to working with First Nation communities to help them increase their resiliency to disasters We hope to have more First Nation people become part of the Red Cross as volunteers 23
THANK Questions and YOU Discussion 24