4 Lessons from 200 Wellesley Street Fire

Last night I went and helped out at the community center where they temporaily housed those displaced after a fire at 200 Wellesley Street here in Toronto. 200 Wellesley Street in one of many large social housing apartment buildings in the area. The residents are a mix of the poorest that live here in Toronto. Many have mental health issues or are seniors. This morning there will be a need for resources for these vunerable residents.

If you live in Toronto first and foremost what will be needed today:

• diapers for both babies and adults
• personal grooming items( toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, etc)
• clothing: (last night I saw basically every size will be needed)
• baby food and formula

If you live here in the city and can help these vulnerable residents please do. You can drop items at the community center at Wellsley and Sherbourne.

Now to the lessons that I think our city needs to be reminded of:

1. We are still Toronto the Good. Last night I saw people of all walks of life step up to the plate and help in any way they could. Whether it was a bunch from Twitter who were getting out the word of the needs, to two mayoral candidates, an MPP, a city councillor, a few who were running for public office, to the people who simply lived in the neighbourhood all came together to help in any way they could. Those that impressed me most were those who came with absolutely no agenda but to help and help they did.

2. We still need to improve on our emergency response efforts. When it comes to events such as this and there have been many over the years we should be doing better by now and we are NOT. Last night I witnessed many falling through the cracks including this frail senior who had been placed on a bus to be sent to sleep on a cot. There were a number of seniors especially who did not self identify as needing extra help. We needed trained staff on site making sure those most vulnerable were identified. At the end of the night I a simple mom was telling city officials who needed specialized help. That should not of been. Yes I have experience working with the city’s most vulnerable but in an event like this we need to make sure people are not falling through the cracks due to barriers.

3. We have still not learned how to communicate well with residents after an event. All announcements were made in English only and I saw few interpreters who could help those with language barriers. Thank goodness again for volunteers who stepped up in this area.

4. We need a bank of Emergency response volunteers who are trained and who practice regularly how to respond. From what I saw last night there was a lack of coordination at all levels. Thank God for those who were smart enough to self organize and get things done. This could be done so much better.

I am so glad I spent some of my night helping out. Much help though will still be needed today and in the days ahead to assist these residents.