www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 19, 2016
First of its kind, purpose-built facility opens for sick and broken soldiers BY MARY LEE Echo Staff
Integrated Personnel Support Centre (IPSC) is a one-stop shop for the ill and injured military personnel, serving or retired, their families and the family of those members who are deceased. Now that shop is much more sophisticated thanks to the first ever state-ofthe-art, purpose-built facility for the Canadian Armed Forces. Across the Forces there are 24 IPSCs and nine satellite locations, however, none quite like the newly built center at 19 Wing Comox. On February 12, the air base cut the ribbon and opened the doors to the first sustainably designed, environmentally friendly facility intentionally built with the purpose of who it serves in mind. Special guests attending the building inauguration ceremony included Mr. Jaime Pitfield, Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Maj.-Gen. Derek Joyce, Deputy Commander Military Personnel Command and representation from the three municipalities and the Komox First Nations. “In poring over design plans and drawings, contracts and blueprints, we occasionally lift our heads and we remember that we are doing all of this for a larger purpose and these things are put in place to serve those who have served all of us,” shared Pitfield, as he addressed the more than 50 base personnel and guests attending the opening. “This center will be a source of healing and learning and inspiration.” IPSCs are part of the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU), an organization that stood up in 2009 to offer programs for physically and mentally injured troops in order to better assist them in resuming their military careers or to transition into civilian life. These support centers and satellite locations provide one-on-one contact and support through the coordination and delivery of high quality medical care and administrative support. Care and support can range from physical fit-
Elder Mary Everson (behind) and Andy Everson of the Komox First Nations give a traditional blessing for the opening 19 Wing Comox’s newly built Integrated Personnel Support Centre (IPSC), the first state-of-the-art facility of its kind in the Canadian
(Left to Right) Lt.-Cmdr. Judith Harlock, Officer Commanding Joint Personnel Support Unit Pacific, Maj.-Gen. Derek Joyce, Deputy Commander Military Personnel Command and Mr. Jaime Pitfield, Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment, join Col. Tom Dunne, 19 Wing Commander, to cut the ribbon and officially open the Integrated Personnel Support Centre.
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ness programs and mobility assistance, to advocacy services to ensure appropriate receipt of support and benefits, and civilian employment facilitation and priority hiring. IPSC Comox first stood up in Comox in 2011 and serves current and retired military members and families throughout the Valley and as far as Port Alberni. Service partners in an IPSC are extensive and inclusive to all the needs that are required in the transition process such as Veterans Affairs Canada, Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS), and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) from the Director of Military Family Services. “While the IPSC staff are the core, the heart of this unit, the partnerships that they have forged are key to the recovery of our members,” expressed Joyce. “The IPSC in Comox has worked hard to foster a collaborative relationship with these partners. This building here is more than just bricks and mortar. This is a visible sign of the commitment of the Canadian Armed Forces towards caring for our most vulnerable members.”
Capt. Carol Winter, Platoon Commander IPSC Comox (left), and Lt.-Cmdr. Judith Harlock, Officer Commanding Joint Personnel Support Unit Pacific, cut the cake during the official opening of the Integrated Personnel Support Centre located behind the Canex Retail Store on Military Row. Master Seaman Michelle Johnston, Chief Clerk, welcomes guests into the newly built Integrated Personnel Support Centre that officially opened Friday, February 12 at 19 Wing Comox.