01:02:31 PM Avagene Moore:Welcome to the EIIP Round Table! ... 01:02:44 PM Avagene Moore:We are pleased to introduce Isabel McCurdy as our special guest today to lead our discussion. Isabel lives in Burnaby, British Columbia. ... 01:02:55 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel is an experienced and versatile Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nurse with specific talents in emergency management. She is currently working on a Multi- disciplinary Master?s in Policy and Practice, University of Victoria. ... 01:03:07 PM Avagene Moore:And perhaps most important of all, Isabel is the EIIP Librarian. She does a wonderful job for us and we appreciate her so much. ... 01:03:24 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel is here today to tell us about a paper she recently completed, the findings of her study ... 01:03:42 PM darla chafin:Got disconnected. Sorry. I'm with Maine Emergency Management in Augusta 01:03:44 PM Avagene Moore:After a brief overview by Isabel, we will open the floor to Q&A. Isabel, thanks for being here today. Please tell us about your paper. 01:03:52 PM Isabel McCurdy:Thank you Avagene and Amy. My name is Isabel McCurdy and I am currently doing a Multidisciplinary Masters Degree in Policy and Practice at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is my pleasure to be here today to discuss my paper "Gender Lens Analysis of Emergency Preparedness at the University of Victoria... 01:04:11 PM Isabel McCurdy:All governments of Canada, federal, provincial and municipal, are knew to the business of emergency management. Prior to 1988, Canada did not have emergency legislation. The 1995 Canadian Federal Government's policy says that emergency response is based on the concept of graduated response; from the individual, the municipality, the province or territory, and the federal government as per Canada's legal and constitutional framework... 01:04:33 PM Isabel McCurdy:The Canadian Federal Government have identified 60 hazards that could impact the safety and property of its citizens. My colleague and I conducted a gender lens policy analysis of emergency preparedness at the University of Victoria; using the hazard, earthquake. The University of Victoria is vulnerable to the effects of earthquake as it is located on Vancouver Island, the most seismically, isolated region in South western region of British Columbia... 01:05:12 PM Isabel McCurdy:What is a a Gender lens? Gender lens or "gender analysis" is a policy development strategy that encourages solutions in support of equality for all women and men in Canada... 01:05:37 PM Isabel McCurdy:Gender Lens Model: There are eight (8) steps with corresponding questions for integrating gender throughout the policy / program cycle: 01:06:01 PM Isabel McCurdy:1. Identifying the issue: In what ways are both women's and men's experiences reflected in the way issues are identified? How is diversity taken into account? 01:06:19 PM Isabel McCurdy:2. Defining the desired / anticipated outcomes: What does the government want to achieve with this policy, and how does this objective fit into its stated commitments to social and economic equality? Who will be affected? How will the effects of the policy be different for women and men, girls and boys? 01:06:41 PM Isabel McCurdy:3. Gathering information: What types of gender-specific data are available? Are gender-specific data available regarding other designated equity groups, (including Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups)? How is the input of women's organizations and other equality-seeking groups being pursued? 01:07:06 PM Isabel McCurdy:4. Conducting research: How will the research you consult or conduct address the differential experiences of gender and diversity? If you are conducting primary research, how are gender considerations incorporated in research design and methodology? 01:07:27 PM Isabel McCurdy:5. Developing and analyzing options: How will each option disadvantage some, or provide advantage for others? Does each option have differential effects on women's or men's social and/or economic situation? How will innovative solutions be developed to address the gender/diversity issues you have identified? What are the solutions that affected groups have suggested? 01:07:56 PM Isabel McCurdy:6. Making recommendations: In what ways is gender equality a significant element in weighting and recommending options? How can the policy be implemented in an equitable manner? 01:08:23 PM Isabel McCurdy:7. Communicating the policy: How will communications strategies ensure that information is accessible to both women and men, and take into account the communications needs of diverse communities? Has gender-aware language been used? 01:08:54 PM Isabel McCurdy:8. Evaluating the policy: How will gender equality concerns be incorporated into the evaluation criteria? How can this be demonstrated? What indicators will you use to measure the effects of the policy on women and men? 01:09:35 PM Isabel McCurdy:Findings 01:10:01 PM Isabel McCurdy:The University has many roles and responsibilities as an employer, as a business, and as a provider of food, shelter, daycare for the multicultural population that reside at this school. The University of Victoria does not have an earthquake and preparedness policy. Neither do any other schools of academia in Canada or United States. However, some schools have emergency response plans... 01:10:55 PM Isabel McCurdy:A written policy demonstates commitment to the health and safety of all personnel at the school. My male colleague and I designed a policy that emulates Canada's federal policy that personal preparedness is key in emergency management. Our policy was earthquake and preparedness. Our goal was life safety. Our policy included the policy statement, purpose, general information, responsibilites, and the universal emergency response procedure for the abled and disabled... 01:12:06 PM Isabel McCurdy:In closing, my colleague and I implemented this policy at the end of our class by having our 26 fellow classmates, who were not educated in earthquake preparedness, rehearse these procedures. Cost - five minutes of their time and $25 dollars for the poster! 01:12:26 PM Isabel McCurdy:Thank you. 01:12:47 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks, Isabel. Thought provoking findings! Any questions for Isabel? 01:13:11 PM Amy Sebring:So in what way did gender affect the policy you designed Isabel? 01:14:31 PM Kevin Farrell: 01:14:43 PM Kevin Farrell:. 01:14:59 PM Kevin Farrell:sorry... I thought I was disconnected again 01:15:06 PM Isabel McCurdy:Everyone, regardless of gender, age, or cultural background has the ability to do personal preparedness. 01:15:39 PM Isabel McCurdy:The poster had gender neutral language. 01:16:19 PM Amy Sebring:Has the policy been officially adopted the University? 01:16:33 PM Amy Sebring:.. by the University that is. 01:16:41 PM Isabel McCurdy:No, not yet... 01:17:01 PM annwillis:? 01:17:22 PM Kevin Farrell:Isabel, did you incorporate things such as a cache of supplies, or did you not get that far into it? 01:17:31 PM Isabel McCurdy:My class was the first to adopt this policy. 01:18:03 PM Avagene Moore:(Ann, please submit your question as soon as Isabel responds to Kevin's.) 01:18:07 PM Isabel McCurdy:Implementing will take awile. 01:19:03 PM Isabel McCurdy:Supplies is another issue. 01:19:18 PM Avagene Moore:Ann, your question, please. 01:19:21 PM annwillis:What are the characteristics of "gender neutral language" ? I am not familiar with that term. 01:19:52 PM Kevin Farrell:? 01:19:54 PM Isabel McCurdy:He and she are excluded. 01:21:44 PM Kevin Farrell:Isabel, past earthquake events in California showed that response forces were overwhelmed and that citizens must rely on some level of personal preparedness, at least until help can arrive. Did you use any of those lessons in forming your conclusions? 01:22:47 PM Isabel McCurdy:Here we are told that you are on your on for at least 72 hours. 01:22:58 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel, I am slightly appalled that you found little emphasis in emergency preparedness and staff/student safety in academic institutions. Were you able to determine why this is so? 01:23:58 PM Isabel McCurdy:Here the issue of emergency preparedness is quite new. 01:24:03 PM Amy Sebring:This is an issue that the OAS will be addressing in their online conference in the fall. 01:24:19 PM Isabel McCurdy:Apathy is huge. 01:24:37 PM Avagene Moore:Good point, Amy. But didn't you also find similar lack of emphasis in the States? 01:24:38 PM Amy Sebring:That is, mitigation, preparedness, etc. in institutions of learning. 01:25:03 PM Amy Sebring:I am assuming that the OAS will include the entire Western hemisphere... 01:25:07 PM Amy Sebring:including U.S. 01:25:17 PM Avagene Moore:I think you are right, Amy. 01:25:28 PM Amy Sebring:I think we also asked them about Canada specifically. 01:25:55 PM Amy Sebring:Isabel, I just read somewhere that you may also be vulnerable to tsunami along the coast as well. 01:26:18 PM Kevin Farrell:Really Amy? 01:26:24 PM Isabel McCurdy:Yes, that is true. 01:26:28 PM Amy Sebring:Have you heard anything about that issue up there in the last several days Isabel? 01:26:55 PM Amy Sebring:There is also very little warning time available for that hazard. 01:27:05 PM Isabel McCurdy:Oru provincial office has info their web site. 01:27:06 PM Terry Storer:? 01:27:17 PM Amy Sebring:Do you have URL Isabel? 01:27:17 PM Avagene Moore:Terry. 01:27:59 PM Isabel McCurdy:I'll look it up. 01:28:39 PM Terry Storer:The Family Protection Program we teach is gender neutral . Do you use it in Canada? 01:28:48 PM Avagene Moore:Uh, oh. Isabel is gone momentarily. 01:29:03 PM Avagene Moore:She will be right back with us, Iam sure. 01:29:14 PM Kevin Farrell:Poof! 01:29:20 PM Kevin Farrell:she's back! 01:29:23 PM Isabel McCurdy:sorry, kicked myself off. 01:29:45 PM Isabel McCurdy:I'll post the URL in the transcript. 01:29:46 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel, Terry's question: The Family Protection Program we teach is gender neutral. Do you use it in Canada? 01:30:19 PM Isabel McCurdy:Have not heard of the Family Protection Program. 01:30:27 PM Isabel McCurdy:Can you elaborate? 01:32:16 PM Avagene Moore:Believe it is a FEMA/American Red Cross initiative. Terry, do you have something more to add? 01:32:42 PM Terry Storer:It is a disaster preparedness program aimed at the individual/family to prepare them to "survive" during the 72 hours post-event. 01:33:42 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel and all: this whole idea of academic institutions not being as prepared as we might wish bothers me. I know I found shortfalls at 4 TN institutions that my own children attended ... 01:33:55 PM annwillis:? 01:34:08 PM Avagene Moore:Is there a significant disconnect between the local EM and the academic institutions? 01:34:36 PM Isabel McCurdy:Let me share a story... 01:34:41 PM Avagene Moore:Or perhaps the States, etc.? 01:34:55 PM Avagene Moore:(Ann, will get back to your question.) 01:35:26 PM Isabel McCurdy:My son when he attended elementary, practised fire and earthquake drills. 01:36:06 PM Isabel McCurdy:Me, as an adult had,never done an earthquake drill. 01:36:21 PM Isabel McCurdy:Until 1995. 01:36:35 PM Isabel McCurdy:It was never done. 01:36:40 PM darla chafin:Hazardous materials seems to be raising awareness in schools... also, sad to say, acts of violence. We've been hearing from local grammar schools and universities more than we did. There's still a long way to go. 01:37:05 PM Avagene Moore:Ann, your question, please. 01:37:09 PM annwillis:Actually, there are several universities that a way ahead on this. Standford, CalTech and MIT all have extensive response plans. CalTech even has preparedness kits available for student purchase in the bookstore... 01:37:50 PM Isabel McCurdy:Yes, but they don't have written policy . 01:38:18 PM Isabel McCurdy:A policy shows commitment . 01:38:56 PM annwillis:The plans and policies are available on the Internet on their emergency resonse pages. 01:39:52 PM annwillis:But, as you can see I could only come up with three names out of the thousnads of institutions out there. 01:40:16 PM Avagene Moore:Does policy make the plans and procedures known to everyone on site plus make everyone aware of their personal obligation to personal safety? 01:40:25 PM Isabel McCurdy:Thanks Ann, will have to revisit. 01:41:27 PM Isabel McCurdy:Policy allows for the implementaion of plans and procedures. 01:41:43 PM Amy Sebring:Isabel, did you connect with a local emergency management person there when doing your research? 01:42:10 PM Isabel McCurdy:Yes. 01:42:31 PM Amy Sebring:Was he/she helpful? 01:42:57 PM Isabel McCurdy:Quite frankly, very little. 01:43:22 PM Amy Sebring:Did he have materials available? 01:43:35 PM Avagene Moore:Are you saying this person and the institution do not work together or have no work relationship? 01:43:57 PM Isabel McCurdy:Materials are a scarce resource. 01:44:18 PM Amy Sebring:Do you have Red Cross in Canada? 01:44:40 PM Isabel McCurdy:Red Cross. yes. 01:45:23 PM Isabel McCurdy:Their role is different here compared to the states. 01:45:32 PM Amy Sebring:How so? 01:46:27 PM Isabel McCurdy:They do link up people during an event. 01:46:55 PM Amy Sebring:Do they do preparedness outreach? 01:47:16 PM Isabel McCurdy:No. 01:47:40 PM Amy Sebring:Well, I think from whatever article I saw recently... 01:47:56 PM Amy Sebring:that you expect a major earthquake once every 300 years... 01:48:06 PM Amy Sebring:and you are up to year 296! 01:48:28 PM Isabel McCurdy:They say we are overdue for the"big one" 01:48:38 PM Isabel McCurdy:We re not ready. 01:49:19 PM Amy Sebring:I hope the OAS conference will help bring some awareness to educational institutions... 01:49:34 PM Amy Sebring:and to emergency management community as well. I think we do tend to wait for them to come to us. 01:49:40 PM Avagene Moore:For everyone's comment: Does the local emergency manager have a role or reason to reach out to the academic institutions in his/her jurisdiction as part of ensuring the community is prepared? 01:50:07 PM Amy Sebring:(Sounds like an article for Shari Coffin Ava!) 01:50:25 PM Avagene Moore:Yes, we have found a population that needs some help. 01:50:27 PM Amy Sebring:How about GWU Ann. 01:50:43 PM Isabel McCurdy:We have alot of communiities that do not have EM managers. 01:52:23 PM Terry Storer:I believe he should have a role, but in reality in our area the academic institutions exist as an "island onto its own". 01:53:08 PM Avagene Moore:Any other last comments folks? I am sure that is a true statement in many cases, Terry. 01:53:19 PM Amy Sebring:Our friend David Crews thinks we are also overlooking universities as resources. 01:53:30 PM Amy Sebring:Town and gown phenomenon perhaps. 01:53:40 PM Avagene Moore:It is about time to wrap up for today. Can be a big resource, Amy. 01:54:07 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel, thanks so much for this informative session. Thanks to our audience also. ... 01:54:08 PM darla chafin:I tend to agree with Terry, but local EM managers wear several hats in our smaller areas. Co EMA Directors certainly would be interested. But academics are stretching that money in all directions, and we're one more expense. Again, it comes to raising awareness, doesn't it? 01:54:29 PM Isabel McCurdy:thank you. 01:54:32 PM Avagene Moore:Good points, Darla. 01:54:45 PM Amy Sebring:Let me mention Ava... 01:54:58 PM Amy Sebring:that the OAS online conference that I referred to... 01:55:07 PM Amy Sebring:will be done by mailing list... 01:55:24 PM Amy Sebring:and I believe it is currently scheduled for sometime in October. 01:55:31 PM Amy Sebring:Is that right Avagene? 01:55:42 PM Avagene Moore:Yes, don't have the exact date at my fingertips, Amy. 01:55:53 PM Avagene Moore:Tomorrow, Claire Rubin, Claire Rubin & Associates, and EIIP Partner presents her paper, "What Hazards and Disasters are Likely in the 21st Century - or Sooner?", in the Virtual Library. ... 01:56:14 PM Avagene Moore:Please join us Wednesday, August 12, 12:00 Noon EDT. Background: