· During this time the overall efficiency and reliability of warning dissemination greatly improved but there was a discrepancy between various times of hazards (Sorensen, 2000). For example, prediction, forecasting, and warning integration saw major improvements for earthquakes but tsunamis, on the other hand, saw little improvements.

·  Among the lessons learned in Sorensen’s (2000) research is that without specialized warning systems, at-risk populations are notified about emergencies in around 3 hours. Moreover, informal notification is an important factor for warning dissemination during most emergencies.

·   This notion is still highly relevant today as seen during the 2012 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Indonesia where through citizen engagement on Twitter the government’s early warning system’s effectiveness was significantly improved (Chatfield, Scholl, & Brajawidagda, 2013).

·   Specifically, the government’s tsunami warning reached over 4 million users in a 15 minute time-span which would not have been possible solely with government resources.

(1)   Representation – there is the need to have representatives from different stakeholder groups participate in the engagement process. However just because they belong to a group doesn’t mean they ‘speak for’ or are representatives of that group.  How do we ensure that we have fair and accurate representation?

(2)   This is a great website that talks about ethical considerations in disaster planning: https://archive.ahrq.gov/research/mce/mce2.htm.  Half way down, in an inset box, it talks about “Addressing the Ethical Aspects of Emergency Preparedness Planning”.  It says “the first building block in addressing the ethical aspects of preparedness planning is creating planning groups that comfortably tolerate vigorous debate.”  See my point #4 below.

(3)   On this page, they discuss who is involved in deciding ethical behaviour in disasters (scroll 1/5 way down) Jenn

a.      What is fair representation of First Nations . Three overarching Nations on Vancouver Island to consider – one voice between all three Nations, nor between the various bands, family councils and other organizing structures.  Map: http://viea.ca/business-living-on-vancouver-island/first-nations/ you might find helpful 

b.      Trust: re #2 above,  can be strong distrust of western\colonial systems and the power and structure they try to impose.  May be difficult to,  have vigorous debate when there is a heritage of distrust, fear and hurt. 

(2)   Resources – EMBC provides the legislative framework. require local authorities to establish emergency management op's.  Variation across municipalities in terms of resources available to do so, in part linked to tax revenue base (e.g. Tofino- homes of higher value, bigger tax base, potentially more funds available; Port Alberni – not as affluent as Tofino, less tax base; Dididaht – no tax base, economically-challenged reserve community) Warning systems *prescribed* to broad base of municipalities, need to consider ethically the ability of communities to implement the system and the repercussions and inequalities that can be created if they can’t. Jenn