January 2025

• Two recent articles in The Conversation illustrate worthwhile lessons from California wildfire response: 

  • January 14 False Alerts - Like the one sent during the Greater Los Angeles wildfires can undermine trust and provoke anxiety, Jack L. Rozdilsky, Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, York University, and Dom Baldasaro Graduate Student, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University.

  • January 19 The use of drones during wildfires can disrupt response operations, Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies & Director, CIFAL York, York University.

• When disaster strikes, Canadians expect swift and effective response systems to mitigate damage and protect lives. Yet, as wildfires, floods and extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, cracks in Canada’s disaster response framework are growing more apparent. Nirupama Agrawal, a professor at York University and co-director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CDSN-MINDS), is leading research to analyze how Canada manages domestic emergencies. 

• Nursing Emergency Management: Scott Hantz, MSN, MBA, RN, EMT-P, Director for Surgical Services Nursing at Cleveland Clinic and an expert in emergency management discusses the importance of emergency management preparedness and multidisciplinary training for potential scenarios in the latest episode of Cleveland Clinic’s Nurse Essentials podcast. 

• Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) International, the leading nonprofit in business continuity and resilience training, has published its 10th Annual Predictions Report – resilience predictions for the profession, by the profession. The report provides an in-depth look ahead to major global issues that resilience professionals may deal with in the coming year. It was developed by the DRI Future Vision Committee (FVC), a group of international thought leaders in the field. The report is available as a free download in the DRI Library (DRI login required; signup is free), as well as the FVC's recent Global Risk and Resilience Trends Report: https://drii.org/crm/presentationlibrary

November 2024 

• Jasper Wildfire Recovery and Reconstruction Symposium is scheduled for Friday 29th, November 2024 via Zoom  webinar and in-person at VPD ADERSIM Lab (Room N004 Basement Floor) – Schulich School of Business, 111 Ian MacDonald Blvd, North York, Ontario, M3J 1P3. Please for more details see the promotional postal and register at JasperWildfireRecoveryandReconstructionSymposium 

October 2024

• The 2024 Canadian Fire Engineering Summit is scheduled for November 7th in Vaughan, Ontario. Both in person and virtual options are available for this important event. See the list of panelists and register for the event at CanadianFireEngineeringSummit.com

• On October 24, the founder of ImpactWX, Travis Farncombe emphasized the lab's relevance in today's changing climate. He stated, "This initiative will empower Canadians to better understand and prepare for increasingly severe and devastating extreme weather events, ultimately strengthening our resilience." For full details, see the press release.

• On October 6, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness issued the following statement: "This year’s Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6-12 across Canada. Fires can spread within seconds and have devastating impacts, leading to injuries, destruction of property, and loss of life. This week is about learning about the dangers of fire and what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones. People in Canada know all too well about the impact of fires. This year alone, over 5 million hectares of land burned across the country; uprooting families, destroying homes and communities. The impacts of climate change are vast and expected to worsen in the coming years.  For full details, see the press release. 

September 2024

• On September 24, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, jointly announced the launch of Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC), a new federal organization within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada dedicated to protecting Canadians against future pandemics and delivering on Canada’s life sciences and medical countermeasures readiness objectives.

  HERC will serve as Canada’s focal point to help mobilize industry to respond in a coordinated approach to public health needs and to support the growth of a domestic life sciences sector. This new organization will bridge the gap between research and commercialization, meaning Canadians could get faster access to the most relevant and effective vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other products, including when they need them the most. Additional detail in the News Release.

• On September 16, Treasury Board Secretariat announced the opening of a second round of funding for the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. CEPG provides funding to help communities and organizations purchase emergency supplies, equipment and services such as: chain saws, generators, sandbag machines, training delivery and education, and exercise planning and coordination. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and the application deadline is October 31, 2024.
• Following an Access to Information Act request, the Canadian Press reported on September 3rd that budget and staff challenges have had significant impact on the federal Government Operations Centre, impacting its ability to manage forest fires and other national emergencies. See the CP news report HERE

August 2024

• Women in the Field of Emergency Management (WTFeM) encourages women to consider a career in emergency management and disaster response industries and provides resources to support their career goals and development. Their new website, announced August 22, features easily accessible resources and content that supports women as they explore, engage, and grow in careers in emergency management.
• On August 1, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile Comprehensive Management Plan, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other major public health events. The document is available for download from Health Canada HERE

July 2024

• The Transportation Safety Board has expressed concern about Canada’s marine emergency preparedness following investigation into a fire aboard container vessel ZIM Kingston. See the news release for details. 

• Does Canada need a national emergency response agency? See a July 27 CBC News Report.

• After widespread flooding in Toronto on July 18, Global Medic demonstrated the use of Water-Gate portable flood barriers, which could help protect infrastructure in future emergencies. See the demo video HERE. 

• As of July 21, there are 20 wildland fires active in Northern Ontario, of which 2 were not under control at the time of this post. 170 fires have been reported year-to-date. See the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry's interactive Forest Fire Info Map for up-to-date details. 

• An update to cyber security firm CrowdStrike's Falcon software on July 19 led to many Windows and Microsoft 365 users experiencing the blue screen of death (BSOD). Remediation tools are available at Crowdstrike and Microsoft. 

• Emergency Management Ontario is engaging partners and stakeholders on proposed modernization of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to support a safe, practiced and prepared Ontario. The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) establishes the province’s legal framework for managing emergencies by defining the authority and responsibilities accorded to provincial ministries, municipalities, and to specific individuals. In 2023, the province released the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, which outlines Ontario’s vision and roadmap for emergency management. One goal of a modernized EMCPA is to deliver on and align with the goals and actions outlined in the Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan.
  To participate, please review Discussion Guide: Engagement on Proposed Modernization of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and forward your response to EMOPolicy@Ontario.ca . The discussion guide will be open for feedback until August 26, 2024.

June 2024

• York Pride teams up with emergency preparedness organizations, including risk assessment and an EOC to keep the community safe during June's Pride Fest. 
• Government of Canada supports the development of mental health resources to help communities plan for and respond to emergencies. See news release HERE 
• OAEM is thrilled to welcome the York University Disaster and Emergency Management Student Association (DEMSA), Seneca School of Public Safety, Fanshawe College School of Public Safety, Algonquin College Police and Public Safety Institute and Public Safety Canada to our Student Engagement Committee (SEC). Looking forward to expanding our relationship and creating pathways for success!
• PetSmart Charities of Canada Shines a  spotlight on disaster planning for Pet Preparedness Month, with resources ranging from checklists for evacuating with a pet to disaster response funding for family pets.
• Toronto Pearson Airport conducts its annual security exercise, a simulated large scale explosion (bomb threat) at Terminal 1, on the evening of June 8th 2024. 
• OAEM congratulates Hon. Trevor Jones Ontario MPP Chatham-Kent-Leamington on his appointment as the new Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response as part of Treasury Board Secretariat.
• The Work and Mental Health Lab at Queen’s University are inviting first responders and public safety personnel in Ontario to participate in a survey-based research study titled Public safety personnel mental wellness: The impact of organizational factors. The study is focused on understanding how organizational factors impact the mental wellness and work outcomes of first responders and public safety personnel. Findings have the potential to influence local, provincial, and national groups, shaping work policies and practices. Participants in this study will contribute to a better understanding of how workplaces can support the well-being of individuals in the public safety sector. Benefits may also extend to families and communities, fostering healthier workplace environments. A link to the survey is available HERE.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada announces a $530 million investment in the Green Municipal Fund to assist municipalities with climate adaptation implementation projects. Eligible projects include public cooling/warming infrastructure, critical backup power, flood mitigation and wildfire risk mitigation. Deadline for applications is August 14, 2024.
• On May 29, 2024 the Federal government released the Climate Science 2050: National Priorities for Climate Change Science and Knowledge Report. The report is closely aligned with the themes in the original CS2050, but also reflects the need for transdisciplinary science to address convergence research topics. It reflects the importance of advancing science on multiple fronts, including the disaster and emergency management sector.