The last Kashechewan First Nation evacuees left Timmins today after more than five weeks sheltering from a precautionary evacuation due to flooding on the Albany River.
As a result, Timmins is ending the State of Emergency declared on April 14, which allowed the City to access additional resources and provincial aid.
Timmins’ ability to respond quickly and effectively to help aid evacuees is due to Stronger Together, a team of local and First Nation leads whose preparedness comes from the cooperation of community partners, First Nation partnerships, and local service agencies and first responders.
“Through Stronger Together’s mobilization efforts, we were able to provide evacuees with a number of services and social supports,” says Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Berny Stansa. “It is a time of emergency and it does take the coordinated response of a community to pull this off. We’re happy that our Kashechewan guests are now able to return home.”
With the last flight departed for Kashechewan, the Stronger Together team will begin to reflect on the last month’s operations and experiences.
“Our team members and First Nation leads will meet and participate in a sharing circle,” says Stronger Together’s Ryan Verreault. “It’s a cultural activity that allows us to debrief and share experiences, both good and bad, to identify areas of improvement for next time.”
The likelihood of a “next time” is almost certain, but the City of Timmins and Stronger Together are ready to assist with a model of evacuation management designed to strengthen the City’s First Nation partnerships and empower First Nation communities to take an active role throughout the evacuation process.