Local expert heading to B.C. to help
Mother of three will aid at shelters, supervise Emergency Response Team
After working closely with the Red Cross during the 2015 Fort McMurray wildfire response, Georgiana Schuring was inspired to hang up her government hat and put on the Red Cross vest.
Now she works as outreach coordinator in disaster management for the Red Cross’ southwest Saskatchewan region and was chosen to go to B.C. to help deal with the thousands of wildfire evacuees in the province.
Schuring will work as an Emergency Response Team supervisor in evacuation shelters in Kamloops where she will assist ERT responders.
“They’re our frontline people and they will be interacting with the evacuees to make sure their needs are met and identifying any issues that evacuees might have that we can address,” said Schuring.
Schuring’s past experience with wildfire response is what led to her passion for this kind of work. Having worked in emergency social services through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, she was part of wildfire responses in Regina and Cold Lake, but was particularly taken with the volunteer presence in Calgary for the Fort McMurray wildfire.
“It was a massive response and it was incredible how all the volunteers stepped up,” said Schuring. She commended volunteers who leave their families for weeks at a time, often multiple times, to help those in need and recalled how the evacuees, despite fearing for their homes, friends and families, stayed strong.
“They were in a very challenging situation, very similar to the evacuees that we are seeing today in B.C. People are very resilient and it’s something that’s very inspiring,” said Schuring.
Schuring will spend two weeks in B.C. A mother herself, Schuring leaves three children in Regina while she works in Kamloops. She said her children have a good understanding of her job and are proud of what the Red Cross does so they are very supportive of her.
She hopes the wildfires are under control by the end of her time there, but said if the need remains after her two-week stint, she would be more than happy to go back. She said between the highly qualified emergency management officers and a thorough understanding of her own job, she isn’t afraid for her safety during her time in B.C.
“They’re going to look after us,” said Schuring.
Steve Roberts, executive director of the environment ministry’s wildfire management branch, said Saskatchewan’s wildfire risk remains low to moderate and there are currently no active wildfires.
The Saskatchewan government announced it will send more aid to B.C. on Thursday, including 20 more firefighters and four more wildfire specialist personnel.
That will bring the province’s total contribution to a total of 40 firefighters, one wildfire investigator, two liaison officers, 19 wildfire specialist personnel, three aircraft and nine support staff for the aircraft group.
Schuring was to leave Wednesday and urged those who wish to help in some way to go to www. redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111.