Lessons from Northern Ontario: Rural-proofing emergency management in Canada
Amanda Mongeon, Vanessa Howard
Abstract
Rural communities, with low populations and geographic isolation, face unique challenges like access to healthcare, transportation, and Internet. These characteristics also make rural areas in Canada vulnerable to disruptions like extreme weather, pandemics, and social emergencies, and affect their approaches to emergency management. Emergency management policy, therefore, needs to consider the realities of rurality.
This webinar will highlight findings from a two-year research project, funded by a 2021 CIHR Catalyst Grant, that explored the experiences of rural communities in Northern Ontario during COVID-19. The study used a variety of methods to understand how these communities navigated the pandemic and to identify strategies to reduce the impact of future disruptions. The webinar will also discuss the broader applicability of these findings across rural Canada.
Speakers
Amanda Mongeon is a PhD candidate in the University of Guelph's Rural Studies program where she studies governance for health and wellbeing in rural communities. She is researching the experiences of rural Northern Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic to help enhance response to future emergencies. Amanda also puts her learning to practice as Manager of Community Health at Timiskaming Health Unit where she has worked since 2006. Originally from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Amanda now lives in Temiskaming Shores.
Vanessa Howard is currently an Emergency Management Specialist with Health Emergency Management BC where she works closely with health authority teams, providing emergency management expertise during preparedness and response activities. She is passionate about contributing to increased community and organizational resilience and has worked and volunteered in various roles within emergency management and response since 2005. Her experience includes working within Canadian urban, rural and remote communities as a paramedic, clinical educator and emergency management professional.
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