Open House and Speaker Event Mark Emergency Preparedness Week

To mark Emergency Preparedness Week in Richmond, we are holding two events on Thursday, May 8th open to all staff, physicians and volunteers! Please join us for your lunch or just drop in.

Speaker Event: Taiwan 1999 – After a 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake
Diane Bissenden – Director, Population & Family Health
May 8th, 1200h to 1300h, Administration Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Westminster Health Centre, RH

‘An earthquake that struck Taiwan on September 21st, 1999 left over 2,000 people dead, more than 4,000 injured and more than 100,000 homeless in the island’s rugged central region. Richmond Mandarin Lions Club sponsored a team of Richmond Public Health Nurses, a Richmond Public Health Social Worker, community physicians, and a dentist to travel to the Taiwan to provide medical support to affected people in the remote villages. The presentation includes a series of slides of the experience along with a narrative from Diane Bissenden, one of the Public Health Nurses who travelled with the team’

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Open House
May 8th, 1000h to 1200h, Richmond Hospital, WHC, 3rd Floor, Administration Conference Room

During an emergency event such as a plane crash, power outage, flood, or hazardous material spill VCH Richmond staff will require additional support. Support can be in the form of additional resources, enhanced communication and coordination within the Community of Care, closer collaboration with external partners, and policy direction. In these instances, the Richmond Community of Care leadership will activate the Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate this support. Drop by and learn about the role of the EOC, how the room functions when activated, and how to use the new equipment including backup communication devices.

Emergency Preparedness Week is designed to raise awareness of the importance of having an emergency kit and making a family emergency plan. It’s important that you and your family know how you are going to get in touch following an emergency – check out the Family Emergency Planning and fill out an emergency contact card for each of your family members.