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Chilliwack readies for refugees Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Chilliwack is scrambling to do its part to help Syrian refugees. It’s happening on several levels at once locally, as the federal Liberal government pledged to accept 25,000 prescreened refugees nationwide before the year is out. Chilliwack Community Services is in a “wait and see” situation until it’s clear how many might actually be coming to Chilliwack, said executive director James Challman. “There are a number of different groups in Chilliwack working on raising funds to become private sponsors,” said Challman. “We know this because they came to us to see what could be done.” Federal officials have, in turn, been notified of the local sponsorship efforts, he said. Community Services offers English language instruction to immigrants, as well as assistance with settlement and integration. But one key service not available at this point is “trauma counselling” but they grasp it is something that might be necessary given that it’s people fleeing war-torn countries, Challman said. Housing availability is expected to be tough in Chilliwack, with limited rental stock as it is. Hundreds of units will be required across B.C. and there is talk of employing emergency shelter beds. Support at this stage is coming from a couple of Chilliwack-based groups. One called “Chilliwack Refugee Support” was started by Wayne Froese on social media, to organize and discuss issues at the grass roots level. “This group is focused on discussing how we can support that, and how to encourage our new government to stay the course and keep the 25,000-refugee commitment,” said Froese. Part of this effort is the desire to counter some of the anti-refugee rhetoric that’s bubbled up. Continued: REFUGEE/ p13
A Chilliwack School District worker trims fallen limbs off a massive tree that crashed down onto the fence at Central elementary during Tuesday’s storm.
Wind storm prompts massive cleanup For photos from Tuesday’s storm, see page 15 Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Cleanup crews were hard at it in the wake of a powerful storm that hit Chilliwack with gale force winds and heavy rain. More than 20 road closures were reported Tuesday after 75 trees were downed at various spots all over town. Workers continued clearing debris all week following the worst storm in years. Chilliwack Fire Department fielded 100 fire calls in a 12-hour window – equivalent of three weeks’ worth of calls. Most were for downed power lines, but some were calls for help from people trapped in elevators. The city’s Emergency
Operations Centre was opened to coordinate communications. Mayor Sharon Gaetz said it gave city officials an excellent chance to get in some practice time in disaster response. “That type of practice is very valuable for us,” she said. Even something simple as the need for cell phone chargers stored at the EOC. City of Chilliwack public works crews were on duty until late into the night, clearing the fallen trees that were not entangled in BC Hydro high-voltage lines. One thing they heard from several sources was that Chilliwack drivers were having trouble knowing what to do at all the fourway traffic stops, in the absence of working street lights.
She praised hydro crews, and other responders on storm duty. “If your power is still out, just remember to keep the fridge doors closed,” she said. But while some praised the effort made by work crews, for others, patience was wearing thin. “Six families on Allan Rd. still blocked from getting in or out of town. Food and supplies running out. Need access please!” tweeted John Robichaud Thursday morning. Residents of Majuba Hill near Yarrow were equally frustrated, saying they still have not heard when their power will be restored after it was knocked out Tuesday morning. Councillor Chris Kloot, a chicken farmer, said operating a loud generator was the only option for them once the power went out
during the intense storm activity. “I am just grateful for all the crews working so hard. There was a lot of damage and there’s lots to clean up.” He was glad not to hear of any serious injuries at least. “Material things can be replaced.” BC Hydro crews restored power to thousands by Tuesday night, but more than 100 pockets of outages still persisted by Thursday morning, with 1,000 households affected. For residents reliant on well water, the power outage meant more than the loss of lights and heat. It meant the loss of water. Four schools were closed Wednesday because of a lack of power. Students at Rosedale Traditional, Chilliwack Central, Continued: POWER/ p6
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