By Angela Hill, Canadian Red Cross
For more than 10 years, Canadian Red Cross volunteer Janis Brown has been there to support Canadians impacted by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and public health emergencies; this summer, she was one of the people affected by wildfires in British Columbia.
On Aug. 7, the evacuation alert for the Bald Range wildfire went out in Peachland, British Columbia where Janis lives.
“My husband and I were standing on our deck looking up towards Summerland, and I’m getting goosebumps talking about it, because we didn’t see smoke. We saw flames,” she said.
Just over 24 hours earlier, Janis was recognized as a Member of the Order of Red Cross at an event celebrating volunteers.
“Janis is a leader who does more than respond to emergencies—she finds ways to make our response better,” said Gary Carleton, Operations Manager, Emergency Management, British Columbia and Yukon.
“Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to supporting both volunteers and communities have had a profound impact on the Canadian Red Cross and the people we serve.”
Photo: Angela Hill / Canadian Red Cross
From wildfire evacuee to emergency responder
Janis went from hearing those words to making sure the cat was in the crate; the dog was ready to go; her bags were packed; and the car was loaded. The couple and their animals left before the alert turned to an order.
But not before Brown checked in on her neighbours. She invited them to evacuate with her to her sister’s place in Kelowna if needed.
At 3 a.m. she got a phone call.
“[My neighbour] says, ‘we got the evacuation order,’ and I said, ‘okay, make your way here,’ and she says, ‘we’re on your doorstep,’” Brown said.
“We’re very comfortable, we’re very safe, I never had that stress, so when Red Cross called me, I was like, ‘yup, I’m there.”
With that call, Janis travelled to Kamloops to open an emergency lodging site, before then going to Penticton to help people register with the provincial Emergency Support Services.
Usually, as a site manager, Janis works with other volunteers. This time she was directly supporting her friends and neighbours.
“The difference for me today, being an evacuee as well, my front-facing support with community members, it’s a different question. It’s like, are you okay? Did you get your pets out? Are you with family? Are you comfortable? It’s all of those things that I am experiencing, and I want to know that all the community members are feeling the same – safe and cared for,” Janis said.
A moment of pause
A week after the induction to the Order of Red Cross, Janis took a minute to reflect on everything that had happened.
“I told my colleagues, it was the just-in-time ceremony because I got my award on Thursday, and Friday night we were out. It was a whirlwind,” she said.
Photo: Janis Brown
“I left all my beautiful flowers that people had given me, [...] they are all on my kitchen table. I told my husband, ‘I never get flowers, and now I can’t even enjoy these ones.’ I know, of all the things to be upset about,” she laughed.
Despite the ups and downs of the wildfire season, Janis couldn’t see herself being anywhere else. “It is very fulfilling for me,” she shared.
Learn more about volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross and join a team of people helping communities across Canada.