Written by Marwa Suraj, Director, Health Services, Canadian Red Cross – Manitoba and Nunavut
In April 2024, the Canadian Red Cross hosted a two-day Domestic Emergency Response Unit (D-ERU) open house event at the Best Western Plus Airport Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The event was a unique opportunity for high-level government and Indigenous leaders, volunteers, Canadian Red Cross staff, and valued partner organizations to explore the capabilities of our Domestic Emergency Response Units.
Domestic Emergency Response Units are versatile setups that can accommodate medical and healthcare aid to people affected by disasters and emergencies. The units contain interchangeable modules that can be combined in different ways to suit various needs, situations, or environments. They are also used to temporarily replace damaged infrastructure with logistical, communication, clean water, and sanitization support.
Indigenous leaders. Participants were invited to a live walkthrough, engaging directly with the setups of our Mobile Health Clinic and Mobile Shelter.
These scenarios showcased how the D-ERUs are prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently in times of need. Attendees were able to ask questions and provide feedback on what deploying the domestic emergency response units would look like while considering specific community needs.
Facilitators Lynn Henderson, Clinical Advisor, and Vishva Ragunathan, Emergency Response Unit Coordinator, both from the Canadian Red Cross, led the demonstrations, highlighting the agility and adaptability of our setups.
There was a lot of excitement and interest in the potential to have these deploy within an emergency context domestically in Canada.
Guests had the chance to see firsthand how the Canadian Red Cross is equipped to face disasters and safeguard our communities. This day was not only about demonstrating our operational capabilities, but also about fostering a deeper connection with our community through engagement and feedback.
Bringing various community leaders across Manitoba into the same room to showcase what resources we have within the Canadian Red Cross and let them know we are available to support where and when needed was very rewarding.
The event reinforced the Red Cross's commitment to readiness and community engagement, demonstrating our resolve to ensure that in times of crisis, we’re able to support those who need it most.
A heartfelt thank you to all teams and volunteers who played a pivotal role at the event. Your enthusiasm and dedication during the setup and takedown was inspiring and instrumental in our success. We are deeply appreciative of your efforts and the warmth you bring to our team.
In April 2024, the Canadian Red Cross hosted a two-day Domestic Emergency Response Unit (D-ERU) open house event at the Best Western Plus Airport Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The event was a unique opportunity for high-level government and Indigenous leaders, volunteers, Canadian Red Cross staff, and valued partner organizations to explore the capabilities of our Domestic Emergency Response Units.
Did you know?
Domestic Emergency Response Units are versatile setups that can accommodate medical and healthcare aid to people affected by disasters and emergencies. The units contain interchangeable modules that can be combined in different ways to suit various needs, situations, or environments. They are also used to temporarily replace damaged infrastructure with logistical, communication, clean water, and sanitization support.
Day 1: Engaging Leaders with Hands-On Demonstrations
The first day of the event was dedicated to an interactive session with government andIndigenous leaders. Participants were invited to a live walkthrough, engaging directly with the setups of our Mobile Health Clinic and Mobile Shelter.
These scenarios showcased how the D-ERUs are prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently in times of need. Attendees were able to ask questions and provide feedback on what deploying the domestic emergency response units would look like while considering specific community needs.
Facilitators Lynn Henderson, Clinical Advisor, and Vishva Ragunathan, Emergency Response Unit Coordinator, both from the Canadian Red Cross, led the demonstrations, highlighting the agility and adaptability of our setups.
There was a lot of excitement and interest in the potential to have these deploy within an emergency context domestically in Canada.
Day 2: Open House – A Community Affair
The following day, we opened our doors to a wider audience, including our volunteers, their families, Canadian Red Cross staff, and representatives from partner organizations.Guests had the chance to see firsthand how the Canadian Red Cross is equipped to face disasters and safeguard our communities. This day was not only about demonstrating our operational capabilities, but also about fostering a deeper connection with our community through engagement and feedback.
Key Takeaways from the Event
The Emergency Response Units displayed are central to our emergency preparedness efforts, vital for responding to large-scale emergencies across Canada. Ongoing research and development ensure that our units like the Rapid Response Clinic and Mobile Emergency Lodging are prepared to address various gaps in emergency response initiatives.Bringing various community leaders across Manitoba into the same room to showcase what resources we have within the Canadian Red Cross and let them know we are available to support where and when needed was very rewarding.
The event reinforced the Red Cross's commitment to readiness and community engagement, demonstrating our resolve to ensure that in times of crisis, we’re able to support those who need it most.
A heartfelt thank you to all teams and volunteers who played a pivotal role at the event. Your enthusiasm and dedication during the setup and takedown was inspiring and instrumental in our success. We are deeply appreciative of your efforts and the warmth you bring to our team.
