The Rural Islands Economic Partnership, a grassroots organization of residents and First Nations on small islands from Malcolm to Pender, is hosting an online event next week to discuss emergency preparedness.
“The devastating effect of the recent storm puts a magnifying glass on the unique challenges our rural island communities face,” said Francine Carlin, the partnership’s board chair and a resident of Salt Spring Island. “The best preparation for the next major climate disaster is learning from the one we are currently in.”
The partnership’s Connection Cafe is a free online event on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Jeremy Stone, founder and director of Recovery and Relief Services, a consulting group providing economic development and disaster recovery services to governments, non-profits and the private sector, will address planning for crisis management and rural economic recovery.
Judy Hagen and Jeff Ballingall of the Quadra Island Emergency Program will share how that community developed its volunteer emergency program 15 years ago, and address the unique concerns that face rural islanders.
To learn more and obtain the link for the Connection Café: ruralislandspartnership.ca/ riep-forum.
