Recent Unprecedented Wildfires in British Columbia, Canada: Progression of a Grassroots Disaster Psychosocial Program

Abstract

Introduction:Psychosocial needs related to disaster are increasingly identified as a significant concern for both communities and responders. In response to the needs of travelers suddenly unable to leave Vancouver immediately after 9/11 in the United States, a network for the provision of volunteer mental health response at the time of a disaster was developed through the Provincial government within British Columbia (BC). Starting from less than 20 individuals primarily located within the Vancouver area, Disaster Psychosocial Services (DPS) now encompasses a network of over approximately 200 providers throughout the Province.Aim:To showcase a successfully functioning DPS program modeled after a volunteer-based mental health network, the evolution undergone, its present operational framework, and future goals.Methods:In response to the observed need for trained psychosocial intervention, we developed a framework for recruitment, education, deployment, and support of a volunteer network of mental health professional and paraprofessional providers.Results:This approach has been found to be effective, significantly increasing our volunteer base and opportunities for deployment.Discussion:This presentation will detail the grassroots development of BC’s DPS Program as well as the current model in practice. It will provide an overview of how BC’s DPS network of providers was stimulated and managed; issues related to volunteer management, including the selection of volunteers; methods of specialized training; and deployment. Multiple settings in which DPS is now utilized with increasing regularity will be described, including Emergency Operations Centers, Reception Centers, and Town Hall Meetings. Lastly, there will be a focus on the lessons learned, as well as future goals highlighting a focus on culturally-sensitive support, specifically with respect to British Columbia’s indigenous populations for building community resiliency and knowledge across the province.