05/13/2026
In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week, we were honored to be invited to speak at the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce event, When Disaster Hits: Is Your Organization Prepared?
The conversation was led with strength and purpose by The Honourable Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, and MLA for Richmond-Steveston, whose message of “In It Together” set the tone for a timely and important discussion on preparedness, resilience, response, and recovery.
It was also meaningful to have Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart in attendance, reinforcing the importance of local leadership and community collaboration in emergency preparedness.
This was a meaningful and a proud reflection of the confidence placed in our expertise. To have Caleb Donald, Senior Project Manager, Complex & Large Loss Specialist, invited to speak alongside respected leaders from government, infrastructure, insurance, and academia was a strong acknowledgment of the role experienced restoration professionals play in disaster readiness, response, and recovery.
Caleb delivered a compelling presentation on the on-the-ground realities of what happens after disaster strikes in Large Loss restoration. He also reinforced the importance of establishing pre-loss arrangements with a certified professional restoration provider and key consultants, a proactive step that can help reduce downtime, minimize overall impact, improve recovery outcomes, and support business continuity.
The discussion brought together a valuable range of perspectives:
Jaci Edgeworth, shared how ICBC’s Integrated Response Guide and internal yellow binder establishes clear protocols to support preparedness and coordinated response during emergency situations.
Pedro Bilbao, BC Hydro spoke to practical business preparedness and the importance of using structured checklists to strengthen readiness before disruption occurs.
Dr. Michal Aibin, from British Columbia Institute of Technology highlighted the evolving role of AI technology in mapping wildfire risk, including risk modelling demonstrated through Logan Lake.
Ben Peco, from BC Hydro guided an engaging panel discussion, with thoughtful audience questions that reflected the level of expertise in the room and a shared commitment to organizational resilience.
Events like this reinforce that when disaster strikes, the first call matters and that having experienced partners already in place, who understand what recovery truly demands, can make all the difference when disruption becomes reality.
