Support Needed for Wildfire Evacuees in Northern Ontario

With many wildfire evacuees currently living in hotels in large cities with limited resources for prolonged periods, regional health service providers are advocating for greater support for the health of those who have been displaced from their homes.

Janet Gordon is the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority’s vice president of community health. 

She said host communities need to be part of supporting people who were evacuated and of identifying different organizations that may be able to provide some activities or support, especially for those who are vulnerable.

They could also offer mental health support or counselling, she added.

“It’s hard to try and do that from say Sioux Lookout and we are also trying to support communities that are not evacuated as well,” Gordon said. 

Redeploying community services

Nor West Community Health Centres has redeployed its Armstrong team to Thunder Bay, Ont., this week, after Armstrong was evacuated due to nearby wildfires on July 13.

The clinic was set up in the Port Arthur Room at the Superior Inn on Arthur St. on Tuesday, July 21, and will run until Thursday, July 23, from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.

The team is providing prescription refills and non-emergency medical care for evacuees from Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation or other evacuees at the inn who do not have a health care provider in the city.

“We are really conscious that when people leave their homes in a very quick, stressed [and] desperate state, there can be many things that are left behind or things that they need in the future that they thought they would be able to receive [through] care from their primary healthcare provider,” said Juanita Lawson, the CEO of Nor West Community Health Centres. 

For instance, Lawson said that could include medications, puffers, ongoing diabetes medication or potentially having blood drawn for necessary blood work.

“They’re not urgent, but they are care that people need, especially if people are on perhaps prescription refills for any chronic disease management,” Lawson said.

“So we really want to make sure that people have access and then as well, individuals with any lung issues, we want to make sure they have access to puffers.”

The clinic is being offered in partnership with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Independent First Nations Alliance. 

Triaging services

Lawson said the organization is also ensuring it has a team at its Simpson Street site to engage with its Armstrong nurse practitioner, who is assessing people and determining whether they need access to midwifery, health-care services for young children or nurse practitioners.

Nor West Community Health Centres can then connect them with its local team, she explained. 

In addition, Lawson said the organization has its virtual care clinic that can be accessed by evacuees from other communities.

“There are a number of other individuals in our community who might not be aware of that service and that people can access from their own hotel room or where they might be located,” Lawson said.

The virtual clinic runs seven days a week, staffed by a nurse practitioner from 12 to 8 p. m.

Planning for next week if needed

Lawson mentioned Nor West Community Health Centres was also trying to plan somewhat and work with many other community organizations to look at what might happen next week if needed.

“Seven days a week. We have our walk-in clinic at the Simpson Street site at Nor West Community Health Centres and that’s available as well. You don’t have to be a client of the centre to utilize that service,” Lawson said.

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