Better disaster response

Senator Colin Kenny accurately identified a shortfall in our disaster response which needs urgent attention.

It is indeed time to rethink the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue program and the federal review of the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program may be a step in the right direction. It is obvious that full-time professionals, no matter how well trained and motivated, can never achieve sufficient numbers or a timely enough response to deal with major catastrophes across Canada.

A new and innovative approach to Canadian disaster response must be based on the formation of well-trained, well-equipped and well-organized volunteer units across the country. The units would be nationally sponsored and would react as “second responders” to assist the police, fire services, etc. in their own communities. They could come together seamlessly, alongside the armed forces, in case of a bigger national event. Specially trained teams could also provide Canada with a civilian first response and reconstruction capability in international disaster relief operations.

The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Technisches Hilfswerk; THW) could act as a model for Canada. For more than 60 years, it has conducted thousands of missions at home and abroad. The THW has proven its capability and efficiency despite similar jurisdictional issues to Canada’s. It has 80,000 volunteers. Its budget is $210 million, less than $3 per year for every German citizen.

The good news is that the Canadian government is interested in this new approach but for ultimate success, the project will need the support of all levels of government and all Canadians.

EVA COHEN, Cantley, Que.