Message from Jessica
Dear Colleagues,
Summer is supposed to be a time for a slower pace, rest and relaxation, but for many across Canada, summer is now a time of extreme heat, wildfires, tornados, and flash flooding. Here in the Okanagan, we are not immune. Recent fires at the north end of Lake Okanagan displaced communities in a single evening when the winds picked up (to 115km/hr) and over a weekend, three fires on the lake were started, some still under investigation, but the largest presumed to be human caused.
Here’s the thing, all of these events are so stressful on people and communities. The uncertainty, fear and feeling vulnerable and hopeless to do anything about what is unfolding is very real. What I have seen during these last few days, like in past events, is people stepping up to help each other: “anyone have a horse trailer to help me haul out some of my horses?” and small businesses like the Fig in Vernon, who told evacuees “come here, we are open, eat good, free food” or Farmstrong Cider Company who’s parking lot is now a command and staging centre.
The reality is that when a community suffers a major event, like a wildfire or massive flood, the road to recovery is long and non-linear. It takes years to rebuild, and communities often feel forgotten by provincial and federal governments. One area that Engage Delaney is refocussing on this year is community resilience, preparedness and facilitating dialogue post-disaster.
We are currently working on a project to engage community partners to better understand resilience enablers and how they see themselves in the patchwork that is resilience. The reality is that while provincial and federal government partnerships and funding are critical, it is also people, local government and local business, including local media, who are already playing a key role in building and maintaining a community’s resilience. On Saturday night, August 1, people across the north Okanagan posted things like:
- we are really good with animals and can take up to four dogs and three cats and some reptiles. PM me.
- I have an RV in my driveway connected to hydro if any evacuee want to stay here.
- It’s just me, I don’t have a trailer, but I can help load up people and families.
I saw similar posts in Pemberton, BC, where we used to live, when just a few weeks ago they experienced a major fire on their front doorstep. As a sit here with coffee and some blue skies (a treat I know others don’t have right now), I am reflecting on how community resilience is often about the resilience of its people and their ability to show up for each other. In the year ahead, Engage Delaney will continue to refocus our efforts, expertise and learning in the area of resilience, preparedness and post-disaster facilitation. It’s a journey I hope you will join us on as we host dialogue and plan for more resilient, connected and engaged communities.
With gratitude, Jessica