The Chinook Emergency Response Society (CERS) is gaining momentum as it formed sub-committees and its Board of Directors at a recent meeting.
CERS is a Southside-focussed community organization that prioritizes citizen preparedness in the face of natural disasters following last summer’s difficult wildfire season.
LOOK BACK: Chinook Emergency Response Society helps Southside prepare for disaster
Risé Johansen, chairperson of CERS told Lakes District News that 26 people attended the Dec. 6 meeting held in her restaurant on Takysie Lake.
Its newly-established Board of Directors includes Inge Selke as the vice-chairperson, Bonnie Moroski as treasurer and Lianne Hummel as secretary.
Ian Van Metre, Carole Imus and Terry Lynn Peterson are the Directors at Large.
CERS’ new sub-groups include the newsletter committee, funding research committee, information compilation committee and strategic planning committee.
It has also applied to the Burns Lake Community Foundation for $10,000 in funding to help finance printing, mailing and other needs.
A survey of resource and equipment needs is due to be sent out to residents of Area E this month.
“We’d like to get a paid position to compile all that information that will come back so that we can have it in a good form so that it’s easy to read and share with agencies,” Johansen said.
The group’s next main step is a meeting at Francois Lake Elementary school in January.
“We’re really looking forward to the north side meeting and being able to re-introduce the idea of the society to everyone in the area and get involved in that sector of the population,” she said.
CERS formed in early October and its members mostly come from Southside communities, including some people from the Skin Tyee, Nee-Tahi-Buhn and Cheslatta First Nations.