Supporting BC’s doctors during the 2024 wildfire season

Wildfires impact thousands of British Columbians each year causing huge upheaval and impacts to communities across our province. To support the BC doctors and health care providers who find themselves working through the challenges brought on by wildfires and/or who are displaced by them, Doctors of BC has compiled a list of resources to help physicians and their patients.

Supports and resources

• Doctors of BC’s Emergency Preparedness Resources for Physicians webpage provides a hub of emergency preparedness websites for physicians to access useful information to be better prepared in advance of an emergency, to help them and their families through an emergency, and to help them continue delivering care to patients.

• Business Pathways’ Contingency Planning Toolkit can help physicians proactively safeguard their practice during wildfire season. The emergency preparedness resources section provides information specific to wildfires, including information for patients.

• Physicians who have commercial/office or home insurance through Doctors of BC’s partner, Westland Insurance, may be eligible to claim under the provincial mass evacuation benefit. Contact Westland Insurance for more information or call 1-800-899-3093. More information can be found in this handout.

• Physicians and their families who experience feelings of distress are encouraged to reach out to the Physician Health Program to connect with one of the many trained counselors and expert peer supporters who can quickly and confidentially provide you with support, 24/7.

Stay in the know

Wildfires and evacuation notices can change in an instant. The BC Government’s Wildfire Service webpage provides up-to-date information on current wildfires and wildfire activity, evacuation orders and alerts, road closures, and more.

You can also download the BC Wildfire Service App to receive up-to-date wildfire information on your mobile phone and help you stay informed about wildfires and wildfire-related events and conditions across BC.

Helping keep patients healthy

With wildfire season comes wildfire smoke and air quality issues. To support physicians in helping keep patients healthy, we have compiled a list of ways for British Columbians to protect themselves from the effects of wildfire smoke. Visit our Together for Health news article for more information.

Questions?

In difficult times, it can be hard to know who to reach out to for support. If you have any questions, please contact View Email Addresscommunications@doctorsofbc.ca and we will connect you with the appropriate Doctors of BC department and/or staff member.