IDPS - Bridging the Gap between Framework and Action: Providing Disaster Relief Capacity With Skilled Volunteers

Bridging the Gap between Framework and Action: Providing Disaster Relief Capacity With Skilled Volunteers

Bridging the Gap between Framework and Action: Providing Disaster Relief Capacity With Skilled Volunteers

Date

Wednesday January 18, 2023
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location

In Person (Law Building, 128 Union St, Kingston, ON - Room 2) & Online (Zoom)

Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity across Canada. There were 195 major disasters identified in the Canadian Disaster Database that struck Canada between 2008 and 2018. Combined, these disasters have cost tens of billions of dollars in damages and displaced hundreds of thousands of people and due to increased scale, outstrip local and provincial resources quickly. This has led to and increased “ Request for Assistance” from Provinces to the Federal Government and the Canadian Armed Forces taking on greater responsibility over the last decade as the “force of choice” that can support Canadians in their time of need. A national debate has emerged, questioning the capacity of the CAF, due to personnel shortages and an increased Operational tempo, to continue as the primary action arm to Federal government disaster response.

This discussion will initially lay out the present Federal frameworks for Emergency Management, the historic CAF response metrics and provide some context for the ongoing pressures on the force, demonstrating the gaps that have emerged. Having established the need, the study will use several case studies to explore the options available to generate a hybrid skilled volunteer/professional response element that would seek to fill this emergent space and the steps necessary to fully realize its potential. Drawing on both practitioner experience and the contemporary Emergency Management Literature, the discussion will hope to expose the audience to the contemporary Canadian Disaster Landscape, current policy frameworks, current pressures on the status quo and an option to Government to invest in human capital to mitigate impact on the Canadian population.

 


 

Speaker

Steve Macbeth

Steve Macbeth
COO, Team Rubicon

Steve MacBeth has a military background that spans over 25 years of service to the Canadian Armed Forces, and the New Zealand Defence Force. Having led on multiple deployed combat operations, and at home during wildfire, ice storm and flooding events, Steve brings a wealth of veteran leadership to Team Rubicon and the humanitarian sector. During his military tenure, Steve commanded from the platoon to the battle group level, including leading the NATO battle group in Latvia as part of Operation Reassurance. Steve is among few Canadian soldiers awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Cross, and the Meritorious Service Medal twice for distinguished service. Steve resides in Oakville, Ontario with his very busy family. With any remaining time he enjoys finding new trails to hike, paddling in Algonquin, and participating (poorly) with the local rugby club.

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