Each spring, as British Columbians enjoy the return of warm weather, a quiet shift begins behind the scenes of the health care system. While many are thinking about summer plans, a small but mighty PHSA team is laser-focused on something they hope won’t happen: wildfires that could strain our health care teams and facilities.
Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) has a provincial reach, and during wildfire season, this means an intense focus on every corner of the province. HEMBC teams, along with PHSA programs and health authority partners, are deep into readiness planning by the time the rest of us are dusting off our camping gear.
From deployable medical units and extra patient beds stored in warehouses across BC to community evacuation workshops on Vancouver Island, this work is layered, logistical, and—most importantly—human.
"We've always worked hand in hand with HEMBC," says Ian Mackenzie, executive director for Supply Chain's Provincial Logistics and Warehousing team. "During wildfire season, we have staff on standby. Sometimes it's about getting gear out the door fast—other times it's just support for moving or cleaning equipment."
Much of this gear—everything from oxygen concentrators to full-scale deployable clinics—is maintained and deployed by HEMBC's Provincial Operations team.
Sara Young, provincial operations manager, explains, "Our team oversees a fleet of equipment that can be quickly actioned to sustain or expand health services during emergency events. Each year, we carefully maintain and prepare that equipment so it's ready to deploy when it's urgently needed," she says.
"The equipment is strategically staged in regional hubs across the province, ensuring these assets are located in the communities that need them most."
All of this work happens in close partnership with PHSA Supply Chain, which supports HEMBC to transport and stage this crucial equipment. "This is the time of year when we start moving assets," Ian explains. "We don't expect forklift operators to sit idle all year, but when the call comes in, our team is ready."
On Vancouver Island, Vanessa Howard, HEMBC specialist, brings another layer to the work: community planning. Her team has helped lead evacuation workshops with local transit, governments, and First Nations partners.
"It's about taking a holistic view of readiness," she says. "The impact of even a small fire in a remote area can be huge. The interdependency between a rural community and the health care system is so tight—we need to think that through ahead of time."
Vanessa's passion is personal. With years of emergency management experience, she's seen how vital it is to design plans that reflect the unique needs and strengths of remote communities.
"These communities are full of innovators," she says. "They wear multiple hats and pull together in ways urban models don’t always account for. My role is to shine a light on that and make sure broader plans don’t overlook them."
As with many emergency roles, Sara says much of the effort happens behind the scenes. "From inventory repacks to tabletop exercises, teams quietly prepare behind the scenes for worst-case scenarios with a level of care that’s hard to quantify."
"We hope we never have to use this stuff," Ian says. "But when we do, we want it to be fast, smooth, and coordinated."
Vanessa agrees—and adds that preparedness isn't just a system-level responsibility. "Each of us plays a role," she says. "Taking small steps at home—having a personal preparedness plan, knowing who to call—frees up space to support the system when needed. These events happen fast, and they're not always in familiar roles."
As wildfires grow in severity and frequency, the work of HEMBC, PHSA Supply Chain and health authority partners is more important than ever. Their job is to prepare for what we all hope won't come.
And if it does? They'll be ready.
