United Way B.C. shares guide for emergency environmental disasters

As wildfire season continues in the province, United Way B.C. has released a guide for communities who will receive people displaced from environmental disaster, including wildfires and floods.

Residents in Fort St John are no strangers to this call to neighbourly action, following last month’s Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, where evacuees were instructed to come to the city. 

In the emergency alert sent to all devices, residents being evacuated were told to register for medical help at the Pomeroy Sports Centre downtown.

United Way B.C.’s handbook intends to help municipalities prepare to host displaced people from those effected. 

“(The guide) aims to bring the social sector and broader community together to effectively work alongside Emergency Support Services during an activation to a large-scale, climate related event,” their press release said. 

The approach is threefold. First, they recommend local governments must build relationships with other governments in their region – and to note any major demographic or ideological differences. 

United Way B.C. said evacuees will be emotional and suggest implementing trauma informed and culturally safe practices for visitors to provide comfort. 

Second, call for social services, such as community housing and local charities to establish a social response task force with the municipal government.  

“It is important to recognize it is not appropriate to ask local agencies what they can offer during an event. Having the conversation prior and allowing time for local partners to identify what their capacity will be ensures respectful and clear communication,” said United B.C.

Third, and this only occurs if displaced people are coming to the city, call for the plan to be activated and the task force to be informed. The local government will work alongside the agencies to provide support for the displaced people. 

To view the full Guide, click the link here.