Rebecca Innes Consulting

12/02/2024

The evacuation of Yellowknife was, in many ways, tailored for the privileged. Thousands of residents drove 1,500 kilometres to Edmonton on the only highway out of the territory, with nothing more than some long days and minor inconveniences. Those who could not drive waited in lines with their families, for twelve hours or more, to board emergency flights to Manitoba, Alberta, and BC. Many evacuees ended up in an unfamiliar city with no family or money.

This piece in The Walrus is a great example of the inequalities of evacuations. Read personal stories from people who offer insights about what worked during the evacuation, what didn’t, how to prepare, and what is at stake.

What do you think? Learn more, read, 'Yellowknife’s Wildfire Evacuation Was Tailored for the Privileged: A year ago, about 20,000 people fled the city. For many, the evacuation was more traumatizing than the fires' 👇

A year ago, about 20,000 people fled the city. For many, the evacuation was more traumatizing than the fires

11/29/2024

Are communities doing enough to prepare for emergencies? Did you know that 76% of Canadians report that they do not feel concerned about future emergencies? Learn how to tailor your disaster preparedness plan to meet your community's unique needs.

In this white paper, we discuss the importance of disaster planning in-depth, including:

✅ The critical components of an effective disaster preparedness plan.
✅ What it means to establish a foundation for disaster restoration and resilience.
✅ Why community engagement is essential for disaster planning.
✅ How to conduct community engagement to establish a strong preparedness plan.

We also highlight why leaders must take a human-centred approach to creating disaster preparedness plans that will keep their communities safe for years to come.

Download the paper (no email required!)

Download our paper on disaster preparedness planning, "Keeping Your Community Safe" to learn more about meeting your community’s needs.

11/25/2024

Resilience starts here. Making a difference takes knowledge. Drawing on our extensive experience in the public and private sector, we’re able to pinpoint the best solutions for you. You can trust in our expertise to do right by your organization—and your community.

Crisis leadership and emergency management are specialized skills. In an emergency, you need to rely on your team to organize and execute a successful response that leads to resolution and recovery as soon as possible. RIC provides the frameworks, guidance, and training your team needs to confidently tackle the challenges that arise in the wake of community disasters and business-related emergencies.

Meet the RIC Team:
https://www.rebeccainnesconsulting.com/ric-team/

11/22/2024

Indigenous communities face a unique set of challenges when it comes to disaster mitigation: not enough resources, lacking internal capacity and funding, and, at the same time, some communities are among the most impacted when emergency strikes. By working together, RIC can take the burden of planning and expertise off of your plate so you can continue to focus on what matters most: your community.

We’re not here to tell you what to do. Our process begins with listening. Understanding the cultural and logistical nuances that vary from community to community is at the core of helping you succeed. Contact us to learn more.

https://www.rebeccainnesconsulting.com/disaster-emergency-management/

11/21/2024

Read our new blog 📢 Supporting Disaster Preparedness in Indigenous Communities.

Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected by disasters like floods and wildfires. As weather patterns shift and annual disaster seasons become the norm, the effects of climate change on Indigenous communities in Canada are becoming more severe.

In 2023, over 30,000 members of Métis, Inuit, and First Nations communities were displaced by disasters, which accounted for 16 percent of the total number of people who experienced evacuations that year. To move the needle, Indigenous communities require more funding and support tailored to meet their specific needs. Disaster preparedness planning, response, and recovery best-practices must be adapted to better serve Indigenous Peoples.

In this piece, we’ll discuss just a few of the things these parties need to keep in mind to improve the way they engage with Indigenous communities, including:

- How colonialism and marginalization have shaped the current barriers that Indigenous communities face in emergency management
- The importance of centering the authority of Chief and Council and listening to community voices in the strategy and planning process
- The need to facilitate Indigenous-led culturally-safe spaces for community members to feel comfortable sharing their perspective

Read the blog: 👇

Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to disasters. Learn how RIC supports them through preparedness, response, and recovery.

11/20/2024

RIC is working towards reconciliation by following the Truth and Reconciliation #92, calling on Corporate Canada to:

- Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.

- Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.

- Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the - Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

11/18/2024

Is your business prepared for the unexpected? Join us for a crucial Lunch & Learn on OHS & Crisis Management Planning with Field Law! 🚨

📅 Date: November 28, 2024
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Silvertip Resort, Canmore

In light of recent wildfires in Alberta, it's more important than ever to be prepared. Join experts Steve Eichler and Rebecca Innes, MA, ABCP for this FREE session where you'll learn:

✅ Key OHS regulations and their impact on your business
✅ Best practices for health and safety programs
✅ Disaster preparedness and crisis management planning
✅ Risk assessment and mitigation tools
✅ Strategies for business continuity during emergencies

Who should attend? Tourism operators, ski hills, heliskiing companies, rail and construction businesses in the Bow Valley and Lake Louise corridor, and Jasper-based organizations with temporary operations in the Bow Valley area.

Don't miss this opportunity to safeguard your business and employees. Spaces are limited!

Register now: 👇
https://www.fieldlaw.com/News-Views-Events/239602/OHS-Crisis-Management-Planning

11/15/2024

We're proud to be a values-driven team. Our values guide us in creating innovative solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also promote resilience for the future.

Being values-driven isn’t just about doing the right thing; it’s about building trust, delivering real impact, and staying dedicated to safeguarding lives and livelihoods. Discover how our commitment to core principles can make a difference in emergency and disaster management.

11/15/2024

Preparedness today protects your bottom line tomorrow. Proactively planning empowers your team to avoid or reduce operational downtime in the wake of community or business-related emergencies. RIC helps you ensure you’re ready with the right resources and guidelines in place to keep your people safe and get back to business as usual, as quickly as possible.

RIC helps you ensure you’re ready with the right resources and guidelines in place to keep your people safe and get back to business as usual, as quickly as possible.

Our disaster planning and training gives your team the confidence to tackle challenges in the wake of disaster together, creating greater cohesion and efficiency so your business comes back stronger than ever.

Contact us to learn more.

11/13/2024

Extreme weather takes heavy toll on Canadian businesses. Did you know that about one in seven Canadian businesses were impacted to some degree by natural disasters or weather-related emergencies in the last 12 months?*

A recent KPMG survey of 350 Canadian business leaders shows 92% fear climate events, pushing them to rethink risk strategies.

They also discovered that almost 50% saw their costs rise significantly due to issues ranging from productivity loss to broken supply chains to increased insurance costs.

* Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

11/11/2024

Remembrance Day - Honouring Our Heroes 🍁

Today, we're taking time to reflect upon the immeasurable sacrifices made by brave men and women who served our nation. Lest we forget.

11/08/2024

We're honoured to celebrate the Indigenous Veterans who have served in missions across Canada and around the world in times of war, conflict, and peace.