What We Heard - Provincial Consultation on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

1) Engagement and collaboration at multiple levels

• CBSS, EM, HA, local government all have important roles/responsibilities in planning and response
• Engage other key players- eg. seniors groups; landlords, building managers,  tenants’ organizations; families/caregivers; disability organizations
• Build relationships and trust in advance

2) Recognition and understanding of unique needs of older residents

• Awareness of barriers – eg. communication, language, culture, digital access, poverty
• Awareness of physical, mental, and emotional needs and differences
• Critical to identify isolated seniors on no one’s radar

3) Multi-pronged approaches are essential

• Phone trees; knock on doors
• Distribution of fans, supplie
• Newsletters; handbooks; checklists; emergency numbers
• Language translation; cultural considerations
• Volunteer teams; captains by building, floor, block, neighbourhood
• Local emergency centres; Cooling centres, and transportation to get there; pet care
• Longer term planning: eg. trees, shade in the outdoor urban environment

4) Understand legal, rights, policy aspects

• Nexus between climate change and human rights - vulnerable populations at higher risk (geography, poverty, gender, age, indigenous or minority status, national or social origin, birth or other status and disability)
• Emergency Management Plans addressing unique needs of older adults
• Right and access to adequate care, housing, eg. right to a rental unit with working heat in the winter, but not to cooling
• Laws, Bylaws, Policies - and their enforcement  

5) Plan ahead!

• Develop relationships with relevant agencies
• Recruit volunteers; identify leadership, roles
• Get training
• Information sessions, workshops, resources
• Identify community assets, eg. housing, transportation, first aid
• Ensure supplies
• Identify those at risk; contact information of isolated seniors; regular wellness checks; address privacy concerns
• Alertable App