When the “Big One” hits Vancouver, Jody Sydor wants to be sure the UBC community
knows how to respond.
But Sydor, UBC’s new emergency planning co-ordinator in Health, Safety and
Environment, isn’t just thinking about major disasters such as earthquakes.
It’s important, she says, that UBC staff, faculty and students know how to
react in emergencies of any scale, from hazardous materials incidents to fires
or major storms.
“It’s key that people know their role in emergencies of any nature,” says
Sydor, who worked with the Canadian Red Cross on disaster relief efforts during
the Manitoba flood last year, and the 1994 Penticton forest fire evacuation.
“I’m here to develop systems so that we can withstand the myriad of emergencies
that can occur on a day-to-day basis.”
The training of faculty, staff and students for roles on response teams, in
rapid building damage assessment, personal preparedness and fire planning is
an important component of Sydor’s job.
“UBC is like a small city,” she says. “It has all the advantages of a community,
such as fire department, ambulance, RCMP, and a hospital, all on-site. We have
to ensure, however, that these groups know how to work with staff, faculty and
students and are aware of the roles that each should and can play in an emergency
situation.”
Sydor will work on the development of the university’s emergency response
plan and related policies, while also establishing an emergency operation centre.
Tentatively located in the University Services Building, the centre will become
the command post for emergency response efforts.
Sydor will also participate in emergency scenarios, which have been held annually
on campus for several years.
The scenarios, which have included staged motor vehicle accidents and chemical
spills, allow local emergency services to co-ordinate a response with university
groups that include Health, Safety and Environment, Parking and Transportation
and Campus Security, the hospital, and Public Affairs.
For information on emergency preparedness on campus or the university’s emergency
plans, contact the emergency planning office at 604-822-1237 or e-mail sydor@safety.ubc.ca.
