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Emergency Management Specialist, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory
Kahnawake, Quebec, CA
It was a summer student job and break from my Health Sciences studies.
The development of Shelter In Place training. Many communities evacuate during an emergency, this training provides another option of safely sheltering where they’re comfortable. It’s a 3 day course with the input of Forestry, Public Safety and other government departments.
When I started in 1993, we weren’t taken seriously. The majority of my classes/training was with 98% males. Questions were directed to males, their answers were the best ones, etc. It was difficult. I had to prove myself MORE than they did.
I suspect we all heard this one. “The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” Meaning, CEM is a huge undertaking. It’s not just one project. It’s evolving and needs constant upkeep. Many departments are involved, but if you take one step at a time, you’ll get to a comfort level of managing multiple tasks at a time. You truly need to crawl before you walk and walk before you run.
Indigenous communities are deciding for themselves the direction they want in response to an emergency. It’s moving towards self-determination. They’re not waiting for government officials to tell them, “o.k., you can evacuate” or “o.k., you can order a water bomber” It’s a movement more and more communities are realizing and asserting.
It was an article in Scientific American about the burnout rate of Emergency Managers. Our field is very rarely recognized by the public as an “emergency service” so it was a surprise to read it. The pandemic brought so much stress to our positions due to political interference, it was frustrating to many EM’s. The article mentions more EM’s are leaving the field because of it. It inspired me because of the recognition. I was happy I wasn’t alone in feeling this way.
“Kellyann, it’s o.k. if you don’t have the answer.” It allowed me the buffer room I needed to build my confidence. At first I thought I needed to know all the answers. I had to provide solutions, etc. That advice allowed me to say, “o.k., I’m learning something new today and I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
Face-to-face conversations or just simply picking up the phone and talking with people. Asking them questions, giving advice. It’s about trust. Once they trust you, they’ll respect you when a disaster strikes.
Tough question…I’d say, your children are only young once. Make a schedule of work time and stick to it. We are so dedicated to our jobs, knowing people need our care, that we forget about those moments with family. The plan/training/project can wait until tomorrow. Go home, have a hot dinner with family, hang out in the back yard and just let go.
I play the drums (not good) to let off stress. It’s a fun way for me to just “bang the drum” and hear the beat, feel the bass and release some tension.
Engage with our LinkedIn group. Volunteer! Volunteers can review resumes, facilitate or speak at events, join the grants committee, be interviewed for the 10Q series and so much more. We invite organizations (public and private) to join us as a host and/or sponsor too. Reach out to learn more.
To increase the representation of women at every level of emergency management in order to achieve the industry’s objectives of building resiliency and of effective and equitable planning, response and recovery.
To provide easily accessible resources and content that supports women as they explore, engage, and grow in emergency management careers.
Engage women in the emergency management and disaster response industries in order to support professional development and the industry’s objectives of building resiliency and of effective planning, response, and recovery.
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