December 14, 2022.  This webinar introduces the Three-Step Social Sector Activation Guide for Host Communities. The document is a step-by-step guide that provides structure for a coordinated social response that can be adapted to meet distinct communities emergency response. The purpose of this guide is to offer recommendations on how a host community's social sector can work alongside Emergency Support Services (ESS) to better support evacuees. The webinar will focus on how host communities can lay the groundwork to respond in a holistic way, steps the social sector can take before and during an event and how ESS and the Social Sector can collaboratively respond to an emergency.

Emily Pletsch is the Food Security and Emergency Response Coordinator with Kamloops Food Policy Council. Emily is experienced in coordination, facilitation, community-based research, and crisis intervention. Emily’s background in green social work practice focuses on the impacts of climate change on populations and how communities can find environmentally and socially just solutions. 

Kristi Rintoul is the Community Impact and Investment Manager with United Way BC. Kristi has been responding to emergencies in the Interior with United Way since the 2017 fires. Kristi is a recognized leader and convener among the social sector in Kamloops and beyond. She supports teams across the interior including the Okanagan, Kootenays, Nicola, Thompson, and Cariboo Region.

Rebecca Cooke is the Community Development and Emergency Support Services (ESS) Coordinator with the City of Kamloops. Rebecca started in this role in 2019 and has shown great leadership in building up Kamloops ESS systems these past years. She holds a hope-filled vision for emergency response that has evoked inspiration for this work.