Helping Our Heroes: Supporting those on the front lines of the Nova Scotia Wildfire response
When a team of Tema Educators arrived in their Dartmouth hotel on the evening of May 28th, they had no idea what their routine trip to train peer support teams here in Nova Scotia was about to become. On Sunday as they arrived in preparation for a week of teaching, they witnessed over 60 families enter the same hotel with nothing but the clothes on their backs, their children, and pets. As the Tantallon wildfire continued to grow, stories of similar scenes across the city began to unfold.
Their immediate response was to help those people they met. The next day, Tema organized the delivery of 50 pizzas to the hotel, with support from generous volunteers, local businesses, and the hotel staff. In the midst of so much uncertainty, displaced families gathered in the lobby, taking a brief respite from the unfolding situation. Families came together, shared their heartbreaking stories, and find solace in the company of others facing similar struggles. It was a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit during such a challenging time. It was a simple gesture but had a big impact for everyone at the hotel that evening, and it was just the beginning of bigger plans to provide support to those impacted by the wildfires not only in Tantallon, but Shelburne as well.
As an organization, Tema’s mission is to improve and protect the mental health of the people who keep us healthy and safe. Recognizing the long-term mental health impacts the wildfires would cause, plans were immediately initiated to provide support to those contributing to the Nova Scotia wildfire response and the important people in their lives. Long-time Tema supporter Emera reached out with an offer of support, and a three-tier plan to provide immediate assistance was quickly developed. This plan included providing gift cards for food and entertainment, as well as offering free crisis counselling services. Eight dedicated counsellors were enlisted to be on call, ready to support those working tirelessly on the frontlines, as well as their families.
After further discussions with Emera, the Helping or Heroes campaign was launched with Emera as a founding partner. In addition to the immediate support being provided, funds raised through the Helping or Heroes campaign will support mental health education events delivered in the communities impacted to frontline workers and first responders involved in the Nova Scotia wildlife response and their families.
By the end of that first week, over 50 requests for support were received. The requests primarily centred around gift cards for essentials like food, clothing, and gas. Additionally, the foundation provided crisis counselling to individuals struggling with stress and anxiety - including young children - ensuring they received the necessary coping strategies. In some cases, requests came in on behalf of others - Fire Captains requested support for their crews, calls came from friends of first responders. These referrals helped ensure Tema’s support would reach those it was meant to serve but also highlighted a common trend among first responders and frontline workers - a reluctance to ask for help. But as more individuals became aware of the support being offered and with the encouragement of those around them that it’s okay to ask for help, requests began to pick up. By the end of the second week, over 100 first responders and frontline workers had reached out to the Tema Foundation for assistance, with the ripple effect of this support extended to over 400 people, including spouses and children.
Tofunmi and Tife Arowolo, children of Emera employee Jumoke Arowolo who were displaced by the wildfires, deliver gift cards to Station 9 Firefighters
Amidst the challenges and heartbreak, stories of resilience have emerged. From firefighters battling the flames while their own homes were at risk to RCMP officers risking their lives to communicate with evacuees, these stories highlight the incredible dedication and sacrifice of the frontline workers. The success of the Helping the Heroes fundraising initiative is a testament to the generosity and compassion of the community. Having raised over $11,000 already, the foundation has witnessed an outpouring of support, including another long-time partner Crombie-Reit. Media outlets like SaltWire, CTV, Global Morning Show, and C 100 have all played a crucial role in spreading awareness about the campaign and encouraging further donations. The community's united efforts have made a significant difference and allowed the Tema Foundation to continue its mission.
It is now nearly 3 weeks since Nova Scotia experienced the worst wildfires in it’s history. Only as of yesterday was the Shelburne fire considered to be ‘under control’. While many families have been able to return to their homes, many are facing finding temporary places to live and a decision whether to return and rebuild or start anew somewhere else. For the people involved in the ongoing response, there is still much work to be done - not only to ensure the fires are fully extinguished, but to care for themselves after such a long and traumatic event. The Helping or Heroes fund will ensure continued support in the communities impacted far beyond the immediate aftermath of the wildfires.