Celebrating community response
A public appreciation event is planned Tuesday morning to thank everyone who responded to the Kerr Apartments fire.
The fire displaced everyone who lived there, but the community immediately began working cooperatively to aid and support residents as quickly as possible.
An emergency operations centre was established to provide initial coordination and support. The Red Cross and Salvation Army worked together coordinating preliminary assessments and needs. Temporary accommodation was provided in various hotels in Nelson.
“The outpouring of support from Nelson and area residents and organizations has been extraordinary,” says mayor John Dooley. “The many donations and offers of assistance have proven instrumental in helping residents move forward during this challenging time. It’s also important to recognize that a fire such as this has a longer-term impact on the individuals involved.”
Monitoring of the longer term needs of residents has continued through the coordination of the unmet needs committee comprised of representatives from many agencies. The committee has been working with residents towards re-establishment of their losses and long term accommodation solutions.
“This is an incredible place, Nelson. The response to the Kerr Apartments fire demonstrated what a small city with a big heart can do,” says committee chair Allison Alder.
“The unmet needs committee saw diverse service providers work together to help people get back on their feet,” adds Alder. “Because of the amazing community collaboration and generosity, not only have lives been changed, but outlooks on life have changed too.”
Everyone’s invited to the public appreciation event on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Lakeside playing fields, near the Tyler Lake fieldhouse.
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