The Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Food Security is pleased to present the Response and Preparedness Webinar Series. These webinars are aimed for Métis community members to listen and chat with experts in the emergency response and preparedness field!
2026 Schedule
March 19 - Flooding
April 9 - Wildfire
May 14 - Extreme Heat
June 11 - Mental Health
July 9 - Emergency Preparedness for Pets and Livestock
September 10 - Seismic Events (Earthquakes and Tsunami)
October 8 - Extreme Cold
November 12 - Hazard Mapping
Topics and dates are subject to change.
Past Webinars
April 10 - Wildfire
May 8 - Flooding
June 12 - Extreme Heat
July 10 - Mental Health
September 11 - Emergency Preparedness for Pets and Livestock
October 9 - Seismic events (earthquakes and tsunami)
November 13 - Extreme Cold
Watch the webinar here!
Speakers:
Tarina Colledge, Manager of Emergency Management, Fraser Valley Regional District.
Andrew Giles, Director of the River Forecast Centre and Flood Safety Section, B.C. Ministry of Water Land and Resource Stewardship, BC River Forecast and Flood Safety Centre
Lisa Slager, Senior Policy Analyst, Disaster Risk Management Collaboration in the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Synopsis of presentations
Tarina: To protect your home, it's important to understand your specific risks and invest in emergency preparedness. Ensure your home's drainage and waterproofing systems are in good condition, regularly inspect the building's envelope, and use products like hydraulic cement for quick repairs. Recognize that hazards like floods and fires can occur simultaneously, so being prepared is key. Simple actions like emailing yourself copies of your ID and signing up for emergency alerts can provide crucial support during a disaster and lead to future savings in recovery efforts.
Andrew: The presentation covers BC's efforts to manage flood risks through the BC Flood Strategy, which emphasizes collaboration, holistic planning, and proactive measures. Key initiatives include improved flood mapping, modernized legislation, and enhanced flood preparedness and recovery. The strategy also addresses the impacts of colonial history and climate change on flood risk. Looking forward, BC anticipates warmer spring and summer temperatures, with lower-than-normal snowpacks reducing major flood risks but still posing potential for localized flooding.
Lisa: The presentation highlights flood risk reduction and disaster preparedness in British Columbia, with a focus on integrating Indigenous knowledge and addressing climate change. It emphasizes the importance of understanding current and future risks, conducting regional risk assessments, and adopting long-term strategies for resilience, especially in the face of flooding. Indigenous perspectives, such as the Métis Nation’s climate strategy, play a key role in informing these efforts. Additionally, PreparedBC provides tools for emergency preparedness, including mental health resources and community planning. The presentation encourages building stronger, more resilient communities with a focus on food security, traditional knowledge, and sustainable recovery.
Community feed feedback and questions
Protecting and maintaining mental wellness during and after emergencies is important for everyone
Discussion on “Do you think you live in a place that won’t have flood risk?” Participants share that they live on the top of the hill and may not consider flooding as a risk, Tarina and Andrew share the different types of flooding possible, for example, floods could come from mountains (there’s fluvial – flooding from rivers, pluvial – rainfall driven floods). Andrew then warns about the increasing concern for coastal flooding.
Presentation Slides
Tarina Colledge - Metis Nation BC Flood Presentation - Tarina -Colledge - 2024-04-25.pdf
Andrew Giles - BC_Flood_Strategy_Update_MNC EM Webinar.pdf
Lisa Slager - MNBC Knowledge Exchange - Floods - 2024-04.pdf
Resources:
From Flood Risk to Resilience in B.C.- An Intentions Paper: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/797/2022/10/From-Flood-Risk-to-Resilience-in-B.C.pdf
https://alertable.ca/ - Alertable provides a smart alert system to notify Canadians. Sign up today for severe weather, floods, tornados, wildfires, and local community notifications.
https://voyent-alert.com/ - Voyent Alert! is an affordable smart notification service specifically designed to meet the needs of municipalities, regional governments, first responders, institutions and businesses. The flexible platform serves the dual purpose of alerting and advising recipients during a critical incident as well as providing targeted day-to-day communication services.
BC Hazard Map: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/hazard-map
Home Flood Protection Program - Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation https://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/programs/home_flood_protect/
PreparedBC emergency guides and resources: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/guides-and-resources
MNBC upcoming Mental Health First Aid courses: https://www.mnbc.ca/mental%20health%20first%20aid
FVRD Hazard Report https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Emergency~Management/Hazard%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf -- has visuals about types of floods, some floods come from mountains rather than up from waterways, and its written from a public education perspective.
Disaster Risk Management Collaboration team: ClimateReadvBC@gov.bc.ca Prepared BC team: PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca
Speakers:
Amy Lubik, Climate Change and Planetary Health Lead for Fraser Health Population and Public Health
Magdalena Szpala, Director of Sustainability and Resilience, BC Housing
Lisa Slager, Senior Policy Analyst, BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Synopsis of presentations
Amy: Amy's presentation emphasizes the importance of the BC Heat Alert Response System, which provides region-specific heat warnings and encourages residents to sign up for alerts. Key vulnerable groups include seniors, people with pre-existing conditions, those on certain medications, and individuals with mental health challenges, particularly schizophrenia. Amy notes that younger individuals, such as outdoor workers and exercisers, are also increasingly affected. Heat exacerbates health risks, especially for those isolated from community support. To stay cool, it's recommended to close windows and blinds during the day, opening them at night, and using fans to circulate cooler air. Keep a thermometer or thermostat indoors and monitor when the temperatures go past 26°C to see if you need to move to a cooler place.
Magdalena: Magda shares how BC Housing is working to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat through protecting tenants and clients, and constructing better buildings through updated building codes, cooling requirements, and installing external shading. The BC Building Code, effective March 2024, requires that new constructions have at least one space per home to have cooling in place, so it does not exceed 26°C. Their Extreme Heat Emergency Response Plan prioritizes identifying and supporting at-risk tenants. Additional support includes educational outreach for nonprofits, resources for unhoused populations, and initiatives like Connect & Prepare to promote community resilience and social connectedness during emergencies. Some items to keep in a cool kit could include a thermometer, small tote, towel, gel compress, water bottle, and spray bottle.
Lisa: Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) is focused on understanding and addressing climate risks, including extreme heat and its impacts on health, safety, and communities. Through engagements at the Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum and Gathering Our Voices with Indigenous Youth, they aim to integrate Indigenous knowledge and values—such as land stewardship, food security, culture, and community connections—into resilience planning for the Provincial Risk and Resilience Assessment.
Community feedback and questions
Participants shared the innovative ways that help keep them cool. For example, using a fan to move air in the room, using cold towel on your neck, using cellars, or putting your feet in a cold bucket, and eating cooling foods and fruit.
Participants also shared how they would do multiple check ins with community members, especially seniors.
Presentation Slides
Amy Lubik – Fraser Health Heat Presentation MNBC.pdf
Magdalena (Magda) Szpala – BCHousing Extreme Heat-DisasterRiskMgmt-MNBC-_9May2024.pdf
Lisa Slager - MNBC Knowledge Exchange - Floods - 2024-04.pdf
Resources:
Fraser Health Patient Education Catalogue: https://patienteduc.fraserhealth.ca/. Larn about the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and when to seek help.
WeatherCAN app sends heat alerts straight to your phone, or use meteopac@ec.gc.ca.
Toward the Heart Resource Page: https://towardtheheart.com/a-z-resource-page
Fraser Health Infographic Summer Heat Tips for Outdoor Worker Safety
Vancouver Coastal Health guidance for food establishments during heat events
Hey Neighbour guide on how to organize a building for heat check-ins
Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health guide for stratas and landlords on best heat and smoke guidance.
BC Hydro Free AC Program. Requires a recommendation letter from your regional health authority's Home Care Program.
Prepare neighbourhoods for extreme heat: www.resilientneighbourhoods.ca
BC Housing Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke resource page
Tips to Beat the Heat Poster and check-in card
Keep Pets Cool During Extreme Heat Poster
PreparedBC British Columbia's emergency preparedness education program
Disaster Risk Management Collaboration team contact information: ClimateReadvBC@gov.bc.ca
Prepared BC contact information team: PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca