Quick Info
Symposium Date: Friday, November 29, 2024
Symposium Times: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST
Location: Hybrid via Zoom Webinar and In-Person @ VPD ADERSIM Lab (Room N004 Basement Floor) – Schulich School of Business, 111 Ian MacDonald Blvd, North York, Ontario, M3J 1P3
Participants Registration:
If you are interested in participating in the symposium in person or remotely please register here.
Deadline for in person participants registration: November 27
Deadline for remote participants registration: November 27
Important notes:
There is no registration fee for attending or presenting in this symposium.
Symposium organizers are unable to support travel & accommodation for participants and presenters.
BACKGROUND
The recent Jasper wildfire has left a lasting impact on communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for effective recovery and reconstruction strategies. As communities rebuild, this symposium seeks to gather experts, stakeholders, and community members to share insights, research, and innovative practices for wildfire recovery and long-term resilience. Through a mix of discussions and presentations, the event will foster knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaborative opportunities in wildfire resilience and risk management by focusing on recovery and reconstruction planning.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The main goals and objectives of this symposium are:
- Goal 1: To Facilitate Knowledge Sharing
- Objective: Bring together experts from various fields to discuss insights on effective wildfire recovery strategies and the role of collaboration across sectors.
- Goal 2: To Strengthen Community and Ecosystem Resilience
- Objective: Showcase case studies and best practices that can serve as models for sustainable recovery in wildfire-affected areas, focusing on community resilience, ecological restoration, and infrastructure rebuilding.
- Goal 3: To Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration
- Objective: Promote partnerships among government agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector to support wildfire recovery and prepare communities for future wildfire risks.
- Goal 4: To Advance Research and Innovation in Wildfire Reconstruction
- Objective: Highlight emerging research and technologies that address the unique challenges of wildfire recovery, encouraging knowledge transfer and fostering innovative solutions.
TARGET AUDIENCES/PARTICIPANTS
- Government Agencies: Provincial, federal, and local agencies involved in emergency management, disaster recovery, and environmental planning.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations focused on environmental protection, community support, and disaster recovery efforts.
- Academic Institutions: Researchers, faculty, and students specializing in environmental science, emergency management, urban planning, and related fields.
- Private Sector: Companies with expertise in firefighting technology, sustainable construction, and environmental monitoring solutions.
- Community Representatives: Leaders, residents, and local groups directly impacted by the wildfire.
- First Responders and Emergency Management officers: Firefighters, police, EMS, and other emergency responders involved in wildfire and disaster response.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 1:00PM-15:30PM (EST):
Registration: 12:30-13:00
13:00-13:10 Welcome Notes
Speakers: TBD
Session 1
13:10-13:50: Topic - We are in this together: Wildfire Disaster Recovery in Jasper, Alberta
Speaker: Dr. Jack Rozdilsky, Associate Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University
13:50-14:05 Break
Session 2
14:10-14:50 PM - Topic - Business Recovery after the Jasper Wildfire: What is different?
Speaker: Dr. Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University; Director, CIFAL York
14:50 – 15:20: Disaster Recover Concepts Discussion
Led By: Dr. Jack Rozdilsky, Associate Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University
15:20-15:30 Closing Remarks
Organizers
The goal of the Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) is to evaluate and enhance disaster and emergency planning and rapid emergency response strategies by governmental, non-governmental and private sector organizations in Ontario, across Canada and around the world. ADERSIM conducts disaster research and training and provides supports to its governmental, non-governmental, and private sector partners through its state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). ADERSIM developed state of the art simulations and applications for mass vaccinations during COVID-19.
CIFAL York is part of UNITAR's global network of training centres for knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for public and private leaders, local authorities, and civil society. CIFAL Centres are local and regional hubs for innovative, participatory and co-creative knowledge exchange opportunities to support decision-making processes, build capacity, and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Established in 2020, CIFAL York started its operation in June 2021 as the first CIFAL Centre in Canada. Health and Development training and knowledge sharing is among the key focusing areas of CIFAL York.
For more information or questions please contact: cifaldirector@yorku.ca
Sponsors & Additional Information
If interested sponsoring this event or have questions about the symposium program please contact Dr. Ali Asgary: asgary@yorku.ca