While May temperatures here in Vancouver have been reaching highs normally associated with mid-summer weather, it seemed fitting to explore heatwaves in our latest East Van Co-op Emergency Planning toolkit workshop. A group of 13 people from seven co-ops met for a deep dive into emergency planning where we simulated and discussed two disasters – heatwaves and earthquakes.
The purpose of this work was to walk through the actions as they might take place in a real-life situation, as a low-stress way to think through and clarify roles, responsibilities and procedures as they apply to a joint co-op response and to highlight gaps in existing plans. As a reminder, our group of six co-ops all within close proximity to each other will coordinate efforts to support each other in the event of an emergency or disaster, where one or more co-ops may need assistance from others. This assistance could look like search and rescue, first aid, shelter assistance, or anything really…. This is called mutual aid.
Simulation #1: Vancouver is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave. Afternoon temperatures are reaching 35 degrees Celsius. People have been warned to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces and avoid being outside, particularly during the warmest afternoon hours. However, many people do not have air conditioning and individuals vulnerable to heat-related illness (children, seniors, and people with chronic health conditions) need to access air-conditioned shelter. Homeless people are at increased risk of heat-illness from lack of indoor relief.
Simulation #2: A magnitude 7.3 Georgia Strait earthquake has struck Vancouver. Bridges, roads and telecommunications systems are impacted. Fires have broken out across the city and some buildings have collapsed. Downed power lines and broken gas lines have left hazards in streets. Access in and out of the neighbourhood as well as movement within the neighbourhood is limited by debris. Families are trying to reunite but cellular communication is unreliable. People are unable to access city water and have limited food supplies.
We explored the following questions within a mini tabletop simulation:
In the event of a disaster, I might need help with ……
In the event of a disaster, I can help with ……
What are our strengths and gaps?
What goes into an emergency hub + Roles and responsibilities?
How do we communicate and work together between co-ops?
The workshop went well with lots of ideas sharing, problem solving, and more questions which will be used to inform our collaborative emergency planning toolkit, and which will largely describe the collaborative procedures in the setting up of an emergency hub – both in a physical form such as a designated central disaster hub at one or more of the co-op buildings, but also a centralized communications system where information about needs and offers, external information, and other emergency updates is established amongst the group of co-ops to coordinate emergency response and recovery…..