Natural Disaster Champions: Importance of planning for wildfires

3 minutes

The White Rock Lake wildfire, located approximately 34 kilometres northwest of Vernon, ignited on July 13, 2021. For about two weeks, residents of Monte Lake, the Paxton Valley, Westwold and Falkland remained on high alert as this fire rumbled around, refusing to be suppressed.

Then on Aug. 5, sustained winds of 25 km/hr gusting to 40 km/hr from the southwest blew the fire rapidly to the northeast and east, impacting hydro and transportation infrastructure, and threatening communities. Multiple structures were lost in the Monte Lake area during the fire’s 15 km run.

We Are IH: Helping Aboriginal people navigate health-care system

2 minutes

Name: Jacqueline Mattice (she/her)
Job Title: Aboriginal Patient Navigator 
Years of Service: 1
Worksite: Cariboo Memorial Hospital
Community: Williams Lake
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc
Advice to live by: "If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you." - Steve Jobs

Text alerts for toxic drugs now available in Interior

3 minutes

In response to the ongoing toxic drug emergency, a new health alert system has been launched across Interior Health.

“Across the province – in every community – we continue to see tragic deaths due to the toxic drug supply. The new alert system is an example of innovation and community collaboration to save lives in this crisis,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Sheila Malcolmson.

iPads help caregivers connect with family members during COVID-19

3 minutes

The onset of COVID-19 brought many changes to family caregivers and service delivery. Many services shifted to online and virtual support, leaving some caregivers struggling to access this new platform due to lack of technology. 

Recognizing this need, the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors, an agency partially funded by Interior Health, purchased 27 iPads. They delivered these iPads, along with cases and Apple pens, to clients in need throughout the East Kootenay.