Natural Disaster Champions: West Kelowna evacuation a team effort

June 10, 2022

Brookhaven's Chronic Behavioural Disorder unit staff celebrate a resident's 80th birthday while evacuated at Creekstone Manor in North Vancouver in August 2021.


In August 2021, the Brookhaven Care Centre team in West Kelowna came together in extraordinary measures to safely evacuate all 104 of their residents from the risk of wildfire. 

Residents boarded a series of buses, then an airplane, to arrive at their destinations in Vancouver. Several staff accompanied the residents on the journey, a few working continuously for 24 hours to ensure everyone was safe and settled into their temporary homes. One dedicated health-care aide even slept on the floor of the nursing unit the first night, keeping close by in case his residents needed him. 

Left to right: Pam Gill, LPN and Keegan Dufresne.

Pam Gill, LPN (left) and Keegan Dufresne, Long-Term Care Aide

A number of team members continued to live on-site with the residents, while others travelled back and forth between the Interior and the coast for a number of weeks. The efforts staff put in to make the best of the experience were incredible. They took time to decorate the residents’ bedrooms with posters and comfort items, and even hosted an 80th birthday party and 60th wedding anniversary celebration. These staff gave all their love and attention to their residents while being separated from their own homes and families.

The staff who stayed behind were no less dedicated, taking great care in cleaning the site top to bottom and preparing everything for the happy return of their residents.

Brookhaven Care Centre staff member Tana and resident Mary return home.

A triumphant return for Brookhaven Care Centre staff member Tana (top) and resident Mary.

“I am constantly inspired by the incredible team that we have at Brookhaven, and how much they genuinely care about their residents,” said Renee Gauthier, Manager, Clinical Operations.

“It is because of their compassion and dedication that our vulnerable seniors were kept safe from greater distress during this emergency situation. While there were bumps and lessons learned, the competence, collaboration and humour of this team was commendable at every step of the way. I am so very proud of them!”

Renee Gauthier, Manager, Clinical Operations, Brookhaven Care Centre.

Renee Gauthier, Manager, Clinical Operations, Brookhaven Care Centre is constantly inspired by the Brookhaven team.

 


Natural Disaster Champions series

In 2021, the B.C. Interior region experienced a natural disaster season like none other. Interior Health staff stepped up and came together to support each other, patients, friends, family and communities. We’re sharing the stories of staff members reflecting on how being prepared – at home and at work – can make all the difference when minutes matter.

View more stories in the series

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Learn how to stay safe in B.C. waters when blue-green algae blooms, or cyanobacteria, are present.

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Robert Gignac works hard to make Parkview Place in Enderby a site that residents are proud to call home and where staff are proud to serve at.

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

The Health & Housing Program launched the Extreme Cold Weather Grant in 2024, supporting 26 communities in providing essentials to vulnerable residents.

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

A highly skilled registered nurse, Bettina was the missing piece needed to increase health-care services for residents in the hidden gem of Blue River.

6 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Your emergency kit should always include critical supplies like water, food, and a wind-up radio, but you can also add items that are unique to your situation.

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

On July 1, 2025, Dr. Robinson will celebrate 10 years as a urologist at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH).

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!

mail