THUNDER BAY -- : First Nations emergency professionals and organizations, as well as other emergency professionals that serve First Nations communities, came together this week for the inaugural After Action Responders Forum. AARF is hosted by the Northern Ontario Emergency Management Working Group and funded by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs Ontario.
The event’s theme is “Emerging Stronger,” bringing together emergency professionals to learn from past experiences and share best practices to prepare for future emergencies. Sessions include panels led by First Nations communities who have evacuated and from communities who hosted evacuees, as well as presentations from IAO and Emergency Management Ontario. Delegates in attendance include Emergency Management Coordinators and Social Emergency Management Coordinators across Ontario, as well as others who are employed in newly funded emergency management positions.
There is also an opportunity at the event for delegates to network and build connections in their field with a tradeshow that features emergency suppliers and services.
NOEMWG Chair Darrin Spence speaks to the importance of emergency management: “As First Nations communities continue to face barriers in responding to environmental and social crises, and as the wildfire and flood season are fast approaching us, it is more important than ever for emergency professionals to work together and emerge stronger from our collective experiences to be the best help for the communities we serve.” First Nations community members often have to leave behind their belongings, including medications, for immediate evacuation and are faced with an overall lack of hosting sites available.
The event timing is strategic and comes right before the upcoming wildfire season, when communities frequently need to evacuate.
The two-day event will wrap up Thursday, May 5 at the Victoria Inn.
