Emergency Department

Our Key Responsibilities and Initiatives Include:

1. Seasonal Training: We conduct annual seasonal training sessions for both community members and staff. This training ensures that everyone is well-prepared to respond effectively to various emergency scenarios.
2. Community Awareness: We coordinate a range of community awareness events, including Preparedness Week and Shakeout exercises, to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness.
3. Training and Education: We actively seek training opportunities to improve our own capabilities and share this knowledge with the community. This includes planning training sessions within the community for staff and community members to enhance personal preparedness.
4. Support for Evacuations: We prepare “grab and go” bags for emergencies and provide education and support to our Elders and Youth to ensure they are well-prepared for evacuation and have a community driven emergency support services (ESS) team.
5. Rapid Alert Communication: Our Emergency Department maintains a state-of-the-art Emergency Alert System, designed to deliver critical emergency information to our community swiftly and effectively. In the event of an emergency, this system ensures that vital updates and instructions are disseminated promptly to keep our community members well-informed and safe.
6. Collaborative Partnerships: We attend collaborative meetings with various partners, including Mid-River Emergency Preparedness Society (EPS), Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), Emergency Management & Community Resilience (EMCR), First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), and other Mid-River Communities. This collaborative effort ensures that we are aligned with best practices and resources.
7. Equipment and Supplies: We assist in proposal development for emergency management equipment, including the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), signage, training materials, and ESS supplies. We also track and maintain all community and staff emergency management training logs, equipment, and supplies.
8. Education and Preparedness: We play a pivotal role in developing, delivering, and maintaining preparedness, prevention, and community education sessions, workshops, and materials, ensuring that our community is well-informed and ready for emergencies.
9. Emergency Response: We have established an organizational structure to ensure that our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is staffed, organized, and ready for effective teamwork during emergency events.
10. After-Hours Contact: We are available as a community after-hours emergency contact, providing support and guidance during critical situations.
11. Emergency Program Committee: We coordinate and facilitate the activities of the Emergency Program Committee to ensure that our community’s emergency preparedness is a collective effort.
12. Effective Communication: Our department prioritizes effective communication and maintains strong relationships with different stakeholders.
13. Computer Skills: We are proficient in computer applications, particularly Microsoft Office, to ensure efficient record-keeping and communication.
14. Calm and Competent: We are trained to deal with challenging situations in a calm and competent manner, especially during stressful emergency events.
15. Knowledgeable: Our team has in-depth knowledge of emergency management processes, policies, and laws.
16. Multitasking: We excel at multitasking and paying close attention to detail in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment with shifting priorities.