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2014/03/05. Ryerson University – Interprofessional Collaboration. Purpose.
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2014/03/05 Ryerson University – Interprofessional Collaboration
Purpose This presentation is designed to familiarize Ryerson students with the Canadian Red Cross as a disaster management organization, and to highlight the various aspects involved in responding to emergencies in our communities.
AGENDA Agenda • Part I: Introduction to IFRC & CRC • Part II: The role of the CRC in an emergency • Vulnerable populations in disasters
Part 1: Introduction to IFRC & CRC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqsY4_R2ZdQ
The Birth of an Idea • Place: Northern Italy (Solferino) 1859 • Event:Solferino Battle (between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance) • Person: Henry Dunant (Swiss man) • Book: A memory of Solferino1862 • Call: • A convention which binds the armies to provide relief to all wounded soldiers • The creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war • The Beginning: the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded 1863
Canadian Red Cross Society Supporting communities in Ontario (3:56) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHMSGsnQEcg TITLE OF THE PRESENTATION
Canadian Red Cross Society Our Mission: To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. The Fundamental Principals Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality
Canadian Red Cross Society • Founded: in 1896 • Mission:to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world • Branches:314 • Volunteers: around 20,000 • Four Zones: • the Western Zone • the Ontario Zone • the Quebec Zone • the Atlantic Zone
The Canadian Red Cross offers a wide spectrum of programs and services • First Aid and CPR services • RespectED: Abuse and Violence Prevention • International services • Disaster services • Swimming and Water safety services • Other services: • Health Services in Canada and worldwide • Migrant and Refugee Services • Promotion of principles of international humanitarian law... etc
What is an emergency? “An emergencyis any dangerous situation that could hurt people, cause death, or severely damage homes and property.” In Ontario, the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Actdefines an emergency as: "A situation or impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident, or an act whether intentional or otherwise."
Do You Know? Q1: What natural disaster causes the most damage throughout the world? A: Earthquakes Q2: How many earthquakes do Canadians experience every year? A: Roughly 5,000 small earthquakes Q3: What has been the costliest flood in Canadian history: A: The 2013 Alberta floods, estimated damage $1.7B TITLE OF THE PRESENTATION
The 5 pHases of emergency management Actions taken to stop an emergency or disaster from occurring. The process of restoring a stricken community to a pre-disaster level of functioning. Actions taken to reduce the adverse impacts of an emergency or disaster. The provision of emergency services and public assistance or intervention during or immediately after an incident in order to protect people, property, the environment, the economy and/or services. Actions taken prior to an emergency or disaster to ensure an effective response.
Types of Hazards – Our Community • Natural Hazards (naturally occurring phenomenon) • Geological: Earthquake • Climatological (weather related): floods, fires, extreme temperature, snow storm, tornado • Biological: disease epidemic • Technological / Man Made (caused by humans) • Industrial: chemical explosion, toxic release, nuclear radiation, acid rain, chemical pollution, power failure • Transportation: motor vehicle accident, train derailment, plane crash, boat crash, pipeline failure
What is the ROLE of the Red Cross in the event of an Emergency/Disaster? We act as an auxiliary to public authorities • We assist government authorities in response to disasters • We act in compliance with established municipal agreements • We work with other non-governmental agencies (i.e. Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, other NGO’s)
As an auxiliary to public authorities The Red Cross Disaster Management (DM) Team will respond to an emergency, declared or otherwise, upon receipt of a call from public officials or the appropriate authority from within the community. The initial services usually provided by the Red Cross involve supporting Reception and Shelter services for those effected by a disaster.
To whom does Red Cross provide assistance? During a disaster, the Red Cross provides disaster relief that meets basic and essential needs without discrimination and with impartiality. For example, the Red Cross may assist: • residents forced from their homes • residents who cannot return to their homes • residents unable to leave their homes • non-residents • surviving family members • family inquiries about the health and safety of their loved ones • government and other relief partners that need information • people who are seeking information about the services of governments and other agencies
Disaster Management response in The GTA: WHAT WE DO SMALL SCALE DISASTERS LARGE SCALE DISASTERS • Personal Disaster Assistance (PDA) provides temporary assistance for 72 hours after a disaster to a family & help may include: • Emergency Lodging • Food Services • Clothing • Our role during major disasters differ but we generally provide: • Family Reunification services • Registration and Inquiry • Shelter • Food Services • Emotional support
Types ofShelters Short term shelter Theatre, Mall Homes of family or friends Motels, Hotels, Inns, B & B Recreation Centres, Churches, Schools
Who will need emergency sheltering Experience shows that typically 10-25% of the affected population will ask for sheltering. For example: An apartment that houses 1500 people has a fire that destroys 3 units and damages 7 other units. 25 residents are told that they can not stay in their units. Therefore only 5-7 people from the apartment will likely require shelter.
Shelters can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, and very crowded places to live in some circumstances. For these reasons, Emergency Shelters will typically only be opened after all other options have been exhausted. Decision to open/close a emergency shelter The decision to open/close an Emergency Shelter is made by the municipality, not the CRC.
Emergency social services Emergency Social Services 1. Reception and Information (organization and dissemination) • Reception and Information 2. Registration and family reunification 3. Emergency Food & Clothing 4. Lodging and sheltering 5. Personal services
Services Provided by the Red Cross Reception and Information • This service informs people affected by disasters about the services available from all responding agencies. Family Reunification • Various methods can be used to re-establish family links: telephone calls, e-mails, family message forms, and a registration and inquiry service. Emergency Food Service • This service provides emergency food to those affected by the disaster to meet their basic needs and those of the response team involved. Red Cross can offer food through grocery vouchers, restaurant meals, catering services or a local cafeteria. • The service must cover the needs of all groups of individuals including infants, pregnant and nursing women, religious groups, seniors and individuals with dietary restrictions. • This service also ensures that the beneficiaries have drinking water and adequate sanitary facilities.
Services Provided by the Red Cross Emergency Clothing • This service provides clothing to preserve the dignity of individuals and to clothe them appropriately for the weather. • The clothing must be culturally appropriate. Red Cross provides new clothing through suppliers, and may refer clients for used clothing. Emergency Lodging • This service provides evacuees with safe temporary shelter. • Based on National Disaster Assistance Guidelines, there are four ways to organize emergency lodging: • the home of the person affected by the disaster (stay at home, with food and other support) • private accommodation with relatives and friends • emergency shelters • commercial accommodation (hotels, motels) Personal Services • This service provides people affected by disasters with emotional comfort, referrals professional counselling, hygiene products, diapers, medications and medical equipment.
Vulnerable Populations & Disasters “Vulnerability refers the way a hazard or disaster will affect human life and property.” • Why? How? • Proximity • Population density • Scientific understanding of the hazard • Public education and awareness • Non-/Existence of early-warning/communication systems • Availability and readiness of emergency infrastructure • Construction styles and building codes • Cultural factors that influence public response to warnings TITLE OF THE PRESENTATION
Vulnerable Populations in Shelters • Case Study: 2013 Ice Storm/Power Outage • Response period: Dec 21, 2013 – Jan 9, 2014 (20 days) • ~300,000 customers without power • 15 shelters/warming centres open across City of Toronto • 5,000+ people assisted • 550 CRC staff and volunteers from across Canada
Vulnerable Populations in Shelters Vulnerabilities identified during the response: • Mental health • Physical disabilities (mobility, deaf, blind) • Poverty / low income • Elderly • Sick • Unattended minors • Non-English speakers • Transient populations (visitors, students, homeless)
