TORONTO, February 27, 2009 -- The Sunrise Propane explosion, the 2004 blackout and extreme winter weather demonstrate the degree to which Torontonians are often ill-prepared for emergencies.
Over the coming year, students in York University’s disaster and emergency management program will put theory into practice by helping residents in the Black Creek/Jane and Finch community prepare for such events, thanks to a $56,000 grant from State Farm Insurance.
The program, run through York’s experiential education department, will focus on helping area school children and residents prepare for extended power outages, ice/snow storms and potential disasters. York students will work with a range of partners, including residents, Toronto Community Housing, utility companies and emergency services such as fire and police departments. Their goal will be to distribute disaster preparedness information and kits at key sites, such as local schools, apartment buildings, and recreation centers.
“Disaster and emergency management isn’t just about helping people cope after a catastrophic event, it’s using the skills we’ve developed as part of our training to convince people in the community that preparing for an emergency now is their best defense,” said Mohamed Abdelrahim, one of three York students who designed the program and applied for the grant.
“We envision this program as a two-way street. As students, we’ll learn about the everyday challenges of rolling out an emergency preparedness plan in the community, and residents will have an opportunity to learn about the tools and techniques that can help them cope with an event.”
EVENT: The Atkinson Emergency Management Service Learning launch
When: Monday, March 2, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Who: York emergency management students, State Farm Insurance and University officials
What: Launch of Atkinson Emergency Management Service Learning initiative
Where: 2nd floor vestibule of the Technology Enhanced Learning Building, Room 2004, (number 39 on the York U map), York’s Keele campus. Visitor parking available at the Student Services Parking Garage (number 84 on the map).
The program is the first of its kind in Canada to be financed through a grant from State Farm Insurance’s Youth Advisory Board. The Youth Advisory Board selects and oversees each project it funds and stipulates that projects be youth-led and that they have a direct impact on local communities.
In keeping with this mandate, a grant advisory council from the York University – TD Community Engagement Centre will consult with York emergency management student leaders to ensure the particular needs of the community are met.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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Media contact:
Killeen Kelly, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22938 / killeenk@yorku.ca
