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Dynamic disaster duo helps corporations prepare
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Contact:
John Clague, 604.291.4924, jclague@sfu.ca
Peter Anderson, 604.291.4921/3626, anderson@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
John Clague, 604.291.4924, jclague@sfu.ca
Peter Anderson, 604.291.4921/3626, anderson@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
June 23, 2005
Academe's dynamic duo in the field of disaster preparedness at Simon Fraser University hopes that the turnout at a recent presentation is indicative of the corporate world's concern about their field.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) recently invited earth scientist John Clague and communications consultant Peter Anderson to present their work at the ICBC emergency response team's Lunch and Learn presentation series. It occured in May at ICBC's head office on the North Shore during the corporation's annual Emergency Preparedness Week. About 60 employees, many of them designated first responders in a disaster, attended the two days of presentations.
Clague, a Canada Research Chair in natural hazards research, talked about the Lower Mainland's vulnerability to numerous types of natural hazards. Clague presented his latest research on earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, the subject of a new book to be published this year.
Anderson, a disaster-management information system designer, reviewed the impact of the forest fires that ravaged BC's interior in 2003 and lessons learned. Anderson demonstrated how he and his colleagues at SFU's Telematics Research Laboratory have incorporated these lessons into the design and construction of SFU's new emergency communications vehicle.
Clague and Anderson note that corporations, such as ICBC, are not on their usual lecture circuit. “But I have been averaging two presentations per month on natural disasters to groups such as telecommunications and health care workers and policy makers, since the beginning of 2005,” says Clague. “This is a significant increase over recent years, due to greater interest in natural disasters, especially after the South Asian tsunami of December 2004.”
“Given that many private and non-government organizations now serve vital public support functions, it's essential that they be included in community emergency preparedness activities,” says Anderson.
Michael Stenner, a member of ICBC's emergency response team, says, “Having researchers present material from perspectives within their disciplines, describe first-hand experiences, and field staff questions helps ICBC improve its emergency training and awareness programs.”
-30-
(electronic photo available)
Websites:
John Clague: www.sfu.ca/earth-sciences/people/faculty/clague.html
Peter Anderson: ihre.sfu.ca/bio.php?id=55,targete=newwindow
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) recently invited earth scientist John Clague and communications consultant Peter Anderson to present their work at the ICBC emergency response team's Lunch and Learn presentation series. It occured in May at ICBC's head office on the North Shore during the corporation's annual Emergency Preparedness Week. About 60 employees, many of them designated first responders in a disaster, attended the two days of presentations.
Clague, a Canada Research Chair in natural hazards research, talked about the Lower Mainland's vulnerability to numerous types of natural hazards. Clague presented his latest research on earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, the subject of a new book to be published this year.
Anderson, a disaster-management information system designer, reviewed the impact of the forest fires that ravaged BC's interior in 2003 and lessons learned. Anderson demonstrated how he and his colleagues at SFU's Telematics Research Laboratory have incorporated these lessons into the design and construction of SFU's new emergency communications vehicle.
Clague and Anderson note that corporations, such as ICBC, are not on their usual lecture circuit. “But I have been averaging two presentations per month on natural disasters to groups such as telecommunications and health care workers and policy makers, since the beginning of 2005,” says Clague. “This is a significant increase over recent years, due to greater interest in natural disasters, especially after the South Asian tsunami of December 2004.”
“Given that many private and non-government organizations now serve vital public support functions, it's essential that they be included in community emergency preparedness activities,” says Anderson.
Michael Stenner, a member of ICBC's emergency response team, says, “Having researchers present material from perspectives within their disciplines, describe first-hand experiences, and field staff questions helps ICBC improve its emergency training and awareness programs.”
-30-
(electronic photo available)
Websites:
John Clague: www.sfu.ca/earth-sciences/people/faculty/clague.html
Peter Anderson: ihre.sfu.ca/bio.php?id=55,targete=newwindow