Agenda
Pre-Conference & Day 1 — Main Conference
February 9, 2027
Conference Registration Opens
Traditional Welcome, Land Acknowledgement and Blessing
Keynote
The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA): First Responder Lessons in Innovation and Implementation
British Columbia’s Emergency and Disaster Management Act was implemented in November 2023 and was redesigned to focus less on emergency response and more on the four phases of emergency management. However, ambiguity in implementation timelines and requirements for first responders still exists. Adding to the complexity is that Indigenous communities are often lacking capacity to provide meaningful engagement for EDMA’s new requirements and have been inundated with requests making it challenging to prioritize emergency management in their communities.
Artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies are becoming practical tools for many professions in disaster management. From streamlining emergency communications to assisting with evacuation alerts, opportunities to apply these technologies in disaster management are plentiful. However, AI is also being used by threat actors to spread misinformation and disinformation, creating public mistrust from government agencies during the evacuation process. Topics of discussion will include:
- Implementing AI while ensuring risk is reduced to public organizations
- Developing relationships with online influencers and communities to help reduce the spread of misinformation
- Integrating stakeholders and end-users in the development of AI-based systems to help with crisis messaging
- Enhancing data collection, improving forecasting, and streamlining communications
Networking Break and Refreshments
Keynote
From Change Management to Change Leadership: Empowering Action that Allows Leaders to Take off
John R. RobertsonFounder and PresidentFORTLOG Services Inc.
As natural disasters and critical incidents continue to grow in intensity and duration, many emergency management professionals are faced with ongoing mental and physical challenges. Strong leadership is essential to maintain morale, increase retention, and reduce employee turnover in a field where staff are often operating beyond their capacity. The pressures, demands, consequences, and dealing with shifting expectations can often cause the leader to lose sight of who they are, and what matters, through these critical moments. Discover how authentic leaders navigate crises, build trust, engage teams, and foster resilience to inspire others amid challenges. This keynote defines the leadership character that can lead your team people follow through these challenging times, building trust, and respect with one another and with those outside the organization. Topics of discussion will include:
- Reviewing the 2 different leadership styles impacting engagement, productivity, and retention
- Discovering the 2 elements of leadership that are the necessities of trust, and respect
- Defining the 4 qualifiers of leadership people trust required before critical moments
- Examining the 6 qualities of healthy leadership when navigating through critical moments
The Bald Range Fire near Summerland, BC in August 2026 affected nearly 8,000 properties leading to the evacuation of nearly 12,000 residents. Many residents were displaced for weeks making re-entry into the community challenging as the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Emergency Operations Centre dealt with a large volume of Temporary Access Permit (TAP) applications.
Temporary Access Passes have existed in British Columbia in some iteration for many years and provide access to ranchers and farmers to address the unique care needs of their livestock and property. However, as evacuations increase in duration and frequency, the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) launched a standardized, digitally enabled Temporary Access Pass system designed to help local authorities and First Nations manage timely access to areas under evacuation order during emergencies. Topics of discussion will include:
- Streamlining access management and improving coordination during emergency events
- Providing emergency managers with a more consistent process for managing requests
- Lessons learned from municipalities and regional districts
- Managing TAP check in locations effectively to enhance resident satisfaction
Climate Change is affecting Canada’s weather patterns, and as weather patterns change, coastal communities are being impacted by rising sea levels. Sea level rise is happening faster than anticipated with the Province of BC advising municipalities to plan for 50cm of sea level rise by 2050 and 1m by 2100. Topics of discussion will include:
- Developing a Coastal Adaptation Policy
- Examining the potential impacts of El Niño on flooding
- Investing in shoreline solutions that protect infrastructure and communities
Day One Closing Remarks and Conference Adjourns until Day 2
Day 2 — Main Conference
February 10, 2027
With unique perspectives from First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts, fire chiefs and professionals will share lessons learned from two of the most intense wildfire seasons in Canadian history. Topics of discussion will include:
- Creating funding and operational opportunities for dedicated emergency management professionals
- Partnering with Indigenous communities to assist with understanding local risks
- Building capacity to better support firefighters and community-led solutions
- Managing volunteers and limited resources
- Leveraging GIS horsepower for situational awareness and damage assessment
Kari O’RourkeCommunications OfficerCentral Okanagan Emergency Management
Laura WilsonSupervisor, Emergency Support ServicesCentral Okanagan Emergency Management
Alesi Zito-LaRoseEmergency Program Manager and Emergency Program Coordinator (EPC)Central Okanagan Emergency Management
The Central Okanagan Emergency Management (COEM) program is a unique multijurisdictional emergency management organization serving six local government partners through a coordinated regional service delivery model. Intended for emergency management practitioners, local government staff, and partner agencies interested in regional service delivery, collaboration, and building effective emergency management programs, this presentation will provide a practical case study of how the program operates, including governance, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) coordination, regional partnerships, lessons learned from recent emergencies, and future priorities aimed at strengthening community resilience and operational readiness. Topics of discussion will include:
- Highlighting the opportunities and challenges of delivering emergency management services across multiple jurisdictions
- Reviewing COEM’s regional communications approach, including public information strategies, tools, training, and lessons learned in supporting incident response and public awareness
- Discussing the region’s Emergency Support Services (ESS) delivery model, experiences supporting evacuees and host communities, and key considerations arising from evolving legislation and emergency management practices
Networking Break and Refreshments
Brittany SeibertEmergency Planning & Business Continuity ManagerCity of Kelowna
As the City of Abbotsford continues to recover from the devastating floodwaters it experienced in the Fall of 2025 and Western Canadian municipalities continue to rebuild from the devastating wildfires they experienced in 2026, there are some key lessons that emergency management professionals can observe from these devastating natural disasters. Topics of discussion will include:
- Implementing mitigation strategies to prevent future disasters
- Creating a coordinated response plan with emergency managers and government
- Identifying how to avoid or mitigate climate hazards before they happen
- Rebuilding and implementing more resilient critical infrastructure
- Developing pre-planning considerations for large gatherings
Michael NugentActing Senior Manager, Emergency Management BranchIndigenous Services Canada
Chantelle LinklaterSenior Policy Analyst, Emergency Management BranchIndigenous Services Canada
Emergency events and natural disasters are undoubtedly increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. These events disproportionately affect First Nation communities due to geographic, historical, and socio-economic considerations. Recognizing gaps in preparedness, many municipalities, provinces, and territories have conducted independent After-Action Review reports to be better prepared for the next wildfire season.
As part the emergency management life cycle, Indigenous Services Canada promotes the practice of After-Action review exercises internally, with key partners such as provinces, territories and 3rd party service providers as well as First Nations themselves to capture best practices as well as to identify and address gaps. This session will provide an overview of the key lessons learned and the actions undertaken to address gaps in supporting First Nation efforts to enhance their preparedness, response and recovery from emergency events ultimately bolstering their resiliency.
Networking Luncheon
Communication issues are often cited as the first or second biggest failure in an emergency. Incident management systems and Incident response systems can differ across emergency response departments and regions leading to interoperability challenges in coordinating emergency communications. Incidents involving paramedics, fire, and police can be especially complex as these departments are often on different radio systems, leading to communication issues. Topics of discussion will include:
- Reviewing lessons observed from organizations that have gone through a major crisis where there have been interoperability issues
- Assessing what can be done at the local level to support better synchronization between organizational departments
- Sharing successes from regions with strong communication across multiple departments
- Examining technological innovations that may enhance communication
- Enhancing interagency operational sharing across federal, provincial, and territorial wildfire agencies
Networking Break and Refreshments
A lot of focus goes towards managing disasters, but Emergency Support Services (ESS) play an equally significant role by looking after the wellbeing of evacuees and displaced people. Advanced care is required to deal with the mental health impacts and trauma from being evacuated or displaced, and the uncertainty that arises from not knowing when, or if resident will be able to return home. Topics of discussion will include:
- Addressing evacuation in First Nations communities that have been displaced
- Defining when volunteers can be mobilized to supplement local response efforts
- Reintegration strategies for individuals who have been evacuated or displaced
- Providing a mental wellness plan for Emergency Social Services workers to ensure their wellness is prioritized
Building Back Better? Assessing how Western Canada’s Insurance Market is Responding to Catastrophic Losses
Canadian insurers paid out over $2 billion in claims for catastrophic losses in 2025, with 2026 forecasted to have similar results according to projections from the Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). In 2025, wildfires, and severe weather incidents caused over $830 million in insured losses in Manitoba and Saskatchewan alone, and the loss estimate for the Bald Range Fire that impacted Summerland, British Columbia, and the surrounding area in August 2026 is estimated at $293 million.
Recognizing the extent that catastrophic losses are affecting insurance premiums, insurers are examining solutions to incentivize policy holders for more resilient building. The Alberta Motor Association initiated a 2-year study and consultation on building back better following catastrophic losses, and other insurers across western Canada are providing funding for resilient building and using reinsurance to help manage their losses.
Topics of discussion will include:
- Investing in resilient infrastructure to protect communities from risks such as flooding
- Strengthening building codes and construction standards, and land use planning to reduce risk and ensure new homes are built with resilient features that consider current and future climate conditions
- Educating homeowners, tenants, and businesses on FireSmart, wildfire defense systems and flood prevention technologies to mitigate their risk
- Defining what insurance options are available for consumers reduce their premiums