The outlook for wildfires in BC’s interior and north interior remains one of high alert. Ten First Nations are currently on evacuation order or alert. The following communique includes information on air quality, Red Cross, Health Benefits and health and mental wellness services.
Air Quality and Prolonged Exposure to Smoke
Air quality remains a critical concern. Interior Health and the BC Provincial Health Officer (PHO) are currently recommending that evacuees whose communities are no longer on evacuation order return to their homes. Given the nature of the fires and smoke patterns across the province, smoke conditions at evacuation centres are generally as bad, or worse, than the home communities.
As evacuations for air quality reasons are no longer recommended, we continue to urge those with complex care needs, elderly, infants and their direct caregivers to remain indoors at clean air stations. FNHA Environmental Health Officers are available to support the development of clean air stations. If you have questions about clean air shelters, call Casey Neathway, Interior Regional EPHS Manager, for assistance at 778-875-3486.
Air purifiers may be available for individual homes and to support communities in establishing clean air shelters. Please contact your community EOC to coordinate with the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre (PREOC) to initiate an order.
Red Cross Announces Support for Small Businesses
Through funding from the Province of BC, $1,500 emergency grants are available to eligible small businesses and organizations impacted by the BC fires. First Nations businesses and cultural livelihoods on reserve are eligible under this program. For more information, please call the Small Business Helpline 1-855-999-3345.
Red Cross Community Partnerships Program
A Red Cross community partnerships program has been established to support community-driven efforts for recovery and resiliency in the following five areas:
- Emergency relief to support immediate needs
- Community strengthening to support community connectedness
- Safety and well-being to support individual and community psychosocial services
- Indigenous programming to support impacted Indigenous communities
- Disaster Risk Reduction to support mitigation and preparedness for future disasters
Visit www.redcross.ca for more information.
INAC Wildfire Prevention Initiative
The First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS) recently launched the 2017-18 INAC Wildfire Prevention Initiative On-reserve Forest Fuel Reduction funding proposal process with the deadline for proposal submission of Thursday, August 31, 2017. For complete details on this initiative, please visit the following site: http://fness.bc.ca/2017-2018-inac-on-reserve-deadline-august-31-2017/. For more information on FNESS please visit: http://fness.bc.ca/
Information for Ranchers
Ashcroft
The Province is spending approx. $6 million on fence reconstruction efforts along highways and on Crown range using a prioritized approach to protect public safety and the welfare of livestock. Contact your local regional district range staff about Crown range fences and the BC Cattlemen's Association about highway fences: 250-573-3611.
Emergency livestock feed is available to commercial livestock producers in the Cariboo Regional District that have lost grazing areas as a result of wildfires. To register, contact the Northeast Area Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre at 250-561-3514.
The Emergency Management BC Commercial Livestock Relocation program provides resources to commercial livestock producers to help evacuate and relocate livestock in areas under an evacuation alert or evacuation order. Contact your local Emergency Operations Centre to request Form 514:
- Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre at 250 398-5581, or
- Thompson-Nicola Regional District Emergency Operations Centre at 250 377-7188.
More information for ranchers is available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017AGRI0046-001405
Mental Health Services
FNHA Mental Health Resources
We recognize and acknowledge the unique trauma to First Nations, which goes beyond loss of home and includes impacts to territory, plants and animals. Over the past month, mental health counsellors have been providing direct client care at hotels and evacuation centres in Kamloops and Prince George. With a number of First Nations now returning home additional Mental Wellness support is available for your community (debriefing or other). Please contact your Nation's Community Engagement Coordinator or a member of the FNHA team to access community mental health.
For individual counselling requests please call FNHA Mental Health at 1-800-317-7878 to be connected with a counsellor. Clients who prefer to contact a clinician directly can visit http://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-First-Nations-Health-Benefits-Mental-Health-Provider-List.pdf to view our list of registered providers.
Traditional and Cultural Supports in the Interior Region
Traditional and Cultural support is available for your community and for individuals (e.g., debriefing, healers, cultural support workers). Please contact your Nation's Community Engagement Coordinator or a member of the FNHA Team.
Nursing
For inquiries regarding Nursing Services in communities and at evacuation centres, please contact a member of our team.
Interior Regional Nursing Team:
Northern Regional Nursing Team:
Health Benefits
Refilling Prescriptions
For clients needing to replace or refill a prescription, please go to a local pharmacy and bring your identification. If possible, also bring a copy of your prescription or medication packaging. If you don't know the details of your medication, your pharmacist will be able to look it up for you, or they can call the NIHB Drug Exception Centre.
If you have any issues with this process, please call: 1-800-317-7878.
Medical Transportation
If you require patient travel services due to the wildfires, including routine transportation to dialysis and other appointments, please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1-800-317-7878 and we will guide you through what supports are available.
Medical Supplies and Equipment (Including Oxygen Tanks) and Eyewear
For all medical supplies and equipment, including refill or replacement of oxygen tanks and related products, please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1-800-317-7878.
Dental Items (Dentures)
Please contact FNHA Health Benefits at 1-800-317-7878.
