E-Club News
Posted by Gordon Crann
NEW MEMBER HAS DISASTER EXPERTISE
In March, the Rotary E-Club of Southern Ontario – Western New York (SOWNY) welcomed its newest member: John Papadakis, who is a paralegal and former East York Councillor from Toronto.
As Commander-in-Chief and Senior Training Instructor of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Canada and as Executive Director of Community Emergency Preparedness Association (CEPA), John adds emergency and disaster relief expertise to both the E-Club of SOWNY and District 7090. CEPA works with communities across Canada to train and deploy CERT teams.
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. CERT is a well thought out program that is invaluable to any community. In an emergency it is important that all parties involved speak the same language. Thus the concept on IMS or Incident Management System was created on both sides of the US-Canada Border.
CEPA has agreed and is honoured to have the opportunity to create, train, accredit and deploy CERT teams across Canada. The Teen CERT Program will help teens and young adults gain invaluable training, experience, a sense of belonging and accomplishment. TEEN CERT qualifies for community volunteer hours and CEPA is prepared to offer Teen CERT thru the local schools.
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors, such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages, will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
What can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?
First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.
DG Marlee Diehl has suggested John may be able to share his emergency and disaster relief expertise throughout District 7090, as one of District 7090’s objectives this year, through the District 7090 Service Projects team, has been disaster recovery preparedness.