"The world’s governments raced to avoid both a pandemic and global hysteria Sunday as more possible swine flu cases surfaced from Canada to New Zealand and the United States declared a public health emergency. “It’s not a time to panic,” the White House said. " (Source: MSNBC)
A complete press briefing can be found at:
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240773850207.shtm
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Two ways of looking at everything
Earlier, we featured a story about emergency related websites in Canada and some of the challenges we face as residents, business travelers, and tourists.
It is a good thing we do not have this problem in the United States. Or do we?
Recently, we received an email from a student who was looking to volunteer with a local police explorer program. She reached out to us through the contact form on this website, which allows our readers to send a message through Facebook. When we asked her why she reached out to us, she said she did a Google search.
So maybe the Ontario recommendation might not be that far off.
It is a good thing we do not have this problem in the United States. Or do we?
Recently, we received an email from a student who was looking to volunteer with a local police explorer program. She reached out to us through the contact form on this website, which allows our readers to send a message through Facebook. When we asked her why she reached out to us, she said she did a Google search.
So maybe the Ontario recommendation might not be that far off.
Something to think about.
Google, The Ultimate Emergency Preparedness Solution?
Prior to the presentations at Showcase Ontario, we spent time looking for specific emergency management websites in Ontario, with some but limited success.
It was obvious that the opening page of www.ontario.ca did not have any emergency management information. Here is the current opening page, maybe you can find it?
When speaking with representatives in the EMO booth, they agreed it was not there, and mentioned that all of the ministries try to get on the Ontario.ca website. He said that you
just needed to take a few extra steps. You will easily find that unless you know what you are looking for ahead of time, that going to the http://www.ontario.ca/ website will probably give you a challenge to find anything on emergency management and you will get easily frustrated.
Do not take our word for it, if you are an emergency manager; ask a family member or someone off the street to find readiness information. Prove us wrong.
Does that mean that emergency preparedness and notification is lower priority in parts of Canada? Do disasters not occur in Canada? We all know that is not the case.
That being said, the question was asked, so how do I get the information. Could you please show us those "few extra steps?" We clicked down and were unable to find it. Too much frustration.
As this approach did not work, the conversation quickly changed to find us the information we were looking for, without knowing the exact website.
It was suggested that we "Google" Ontario Emergency Management and start from there. That search did result in the website we were looking for.
So to get the information, you have to make the effort to get the information, and there is no or very limited push to give you the information. In order to be prepared, you need to know you need to be prepared. Expect the unexpected? How does someone
do that?
However, many solutions such as citizen alerting could not be found. That is because beyond an alert system on the news, both radio and television, there is no text or phone based alerting system.
It was obvious that the opening page of www.ontario.ca did not have any emergency management information. Here is the current opening page, maybe you can find it?
When speaking with representatives in the EMO booth, they agreed it was not there, and mentioned that all of the ministries try to get on the Ontario.ca website. He said that you
just needed to take a few extra steps. You will easily find that unless you know what you are looking for ahead of time, that going to the http://www.ontario.ca/ website will probably give you a challenge to find anything on emergency management and you will get easily frustrated.
Do not take our word for it, if you are an emergency manager; ask a family member or someone off the street to find readiness information. Prove us wrong.
Does that mean that emergency preparedness and notification is lower priority in parts of Canada? Do disasters not occur in Canada? We all know that is not the case.
That being said, the question was asked, so how do I get the information. Could you please show us those "few extra steps?" We clicked down and were unable to find it. Too much frustration.
As this approach did not work, the conversation quickly changed to find us the information we were looking for, without knowing the exact website.
It was suggested that we "Google" Ontario Emergency Management and start from there. That search did result in the website we were looking for.
So to get the information, you have to make the effort to get the information, and there is no or very limited push to give you the information. In order to be prepared, you need to know you need to be prepared. Expect the unexpected? How does someone
do that?
However, many solutions such as citizen alerting could not be found. That is because beyond an alert system on the news, both radio and television, there is no text or phone based alerting system.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Showcase Ontario 2008 - Working Together
Why limit National Preparedness Month to the United States?
Sharing this message with neighboring countries,
Sharing this message with neighboring countries,
You are welcome to join us at Showcase Ontario 2008,
The theme "Working Together - Working Smarter"
is key to effective emergency management and disaster preparedness.
On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 10:00-11:30am,
we present a feature workshop,
"Stop! We Have An Emergency!
Our Citizens Want To Help! -
Lessons Learned from a Global Citizen"
Advanced Registration is required for this conference.
Sponsored in partnership with IBM Canada.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
ICS-Kar - Karaoke for Officials
Dear Elected Official, Dear College President, Dear Executive, Dear NGO Board,
We would like to invite you to join our group for karaoke.
During our time in Asia Pacific, it has been amazing how many senior people from universities, government, NGOs, etc. would go out and karaoke with us. We could never imagine doing that back home.
Pictured above is a city administrator in the Philippines and also one of the leaders of the Scouts in Canada.
We have had great hospitality during our projects here. And karaoke and plenty of food helped everyone get to know each other better. We could not thank everyone here enough for the experience that will be with us for a lifetime.
Anyone who is willing to take me up on my offer to karaoke, we plan to actually purchase a karaoke unit, so see you soon. We can also share our experiences working with other cultures and other parts of this GLOBAL world! We all have a lot to learn.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
So far away, yet so similar?
The "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" blog welcomes readers from the Philippines.
Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) and Central 911.
http://www.usvirtualconsulatedavao.org.ph/features/features01.html
there are other parts of the world that have emergency response systems similar to the United States and Canada.
In the next few weeks, this blog will share best practices and lessons learned from this region.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Taking National Preparedness Month Across Borders - Showcase Ontario
http://www.showcaseontario.com/2008/ During National Preparedness Month, Andrew Levy, upon his return from the IBM Corporate Service Corps project, will go beyond United States borders again and share lessons learned and best practices from multiple countries.
As part of this years theme, "Working Together - Working Smarter", participants will leave this featured presentation with:
1. Increased knowledge of how to leverage citizen groups for emergency response.
2. Understand ways to reduce load on Government during an emergency.
3. Learn how to reduce redundancy in public and private emergency programmes.
4. Be able to increase citizen participation in emergency simulations.
Last month, Andrew spoke at the World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto, Canada, where he was asked to return to speak to this audience.
2. Understand ways to reduce load on Government during an emergency.
3. Learn how to reduce redundancy in public and private emergency programmes.
4. Be able to increase citizen participation in emergency simulations.
Last month, Andrew spoke at the World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto, Canada, where he was asked to return to speak to this audience.
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