Heather Ferguson

Background

About Heather Ferguson

I am always open to expanding into new opportunities as I continue to learn and grow in developing my three great passions. The three sides fit hand-in-glove, animal rescue, disaster/emergency preparedness, and First Aid Instructional Development. I first joined St John Ambulance in 1971 and became an Instructor in 1980 progressing in my skills to teach all general and occupational courses. Most recently I have completed my Instructional Skills Workshop program at Royal Roads and my Instructional Skills Facilitator Workshop through SFU. Currently, I am a Learning and Development Officer for SJA BC & Yukon and I am particularly thrilled with immersion into the E-learning environment, allowing me to develop my skills in eLearning. My background in emergency preparedness and disaster response started with Surrey Search and Rescue in the early 1980s and my training in disaster exercise and casualty simulation makeup skills allowed me to participate in many hospital, airport and other response agencies emergency response accreditation exercises, the largest being "Operation Bronze" held before the BC Olympics in which a Commuter line was struck by a simulated terrorist attack. I was charged with coordinating the entire makeup and casualty coordination for the exercise - at that time one of the largest in Canada. I am still gaining more skills in Disaster Response and Emergency Planning, specialized Moulage (casualty simulation), and disaster exercise planning. Becoming aware of the need for animal rescue, in emergent situations, I joined international and local rescue teams, Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team, and Emergency Social Services. I have taken on the role of the Southwest BC Coordinator and serve on the National CDART committee, with the mandate of sheltering in times of emergency, community outreach, education, and training. 2017 fire season I was tasked with setting up and supervising the first and largest animal reconciliation center in the Province, co-sheltering and supporting the human center, an amazingly challenging task.