Protecting public health for 100 years
The week of September 22 to 29 is Environmental Public Health Week, which acknowledges the continuous dedicated work of our environmental public health professionals, including environmental health officers, in communities across Canada. As this year marks our 100th year as an organization, the theme is “Celebrating 100 years of Distinction.”
“While you are busy saving lives every day, we are the ones who look after the food you eat, the water you drink, the school and day cares that your children attend and the adult facilities your elders reside, the pools and beaches you swim in, the spa you go to get pampered,” says Jessica Ip, a senior environmental health officer at VCH. ” These are some of many duties we perform daily to keep you safe. We are the ones behind the scene protecting all but seldom got noticed. We are the VCH environmental and public health officers at Health Protection. This is our 100th birthday and we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to celebrate with us!”
Over the last 100 years, members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors have helped protect Canadians and promote public health. We continually face new environmental challenges that can affect human health. We inspect public facilities and educate communities. We are employed by federal, provincial and local governments, First Nation Tribal Councils and also within the private sector. We are involved in the inspection of food premises, recreational water, healthcare and childcare facilities, personal service settings, drinking water systems and the implementation of disease and health hazard controls.
Your environmental health officers have been serving communities in the jurisdiction of VCH and the province of BC for decades. Back in 1917, a 65-foot power boat was procured by the BC Provincial Board of Health enabling Sanitary Inspectors to visit the numerous canneries, logging camps and communities along BC’s 600 mile coastline. The Patrol and Quarantine vessel was named the Sanita (SANITAry). A master mariner, Captain De Gray, was appointed Chief Sanitary Inspector for BC by the Provincial Board of Health. He held the position until his retirement in 1940. This photo was taken at Goliath Bay logging camp in 1924 during an investigation of a serious typhoid outbreak.
Take a moment this week to give a pat on the back for all the environmental health officers who have been quietly serving the communities for the health of British Columbians everywhere!