Public health expert Raywat Deonandan has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of collective public health and safety measures proposed by various levels of government. His comments come on the heels of a record-setting wildfire outbreak in Nova Scotia earlier this year. This incident required a high level of coordination of emergency services. Deonandan urged that any new measures be added only after officials take steps to “reinvest in the public trust.”
Deonandan wrote a letter to The Hill Times, highlighting that rebuilding trust in government is critical. He particularly zeroed in on the necessity of this trust to any public health response. He recommended that in the absence of a civic infrastructure of trust, no initiative will be able to proceed without significant pushback from the public.
In 2023, treatment of wildfires on Susie’s Lake were raising much less urgent discussions. As of August 15, local officials said that the situation is “under control.” The assessment further finds that fire management is getting better. Such news is heartening both local residents and local leaders. Images courtesy of the Government of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources firefighters work on a fire. They follow intently as a water bomber from Quebec makes passes over the burning community to quench the flames.
The photograph above illustrates the incredible coordination and teamwork displayed by the firefighting national response teams. It illustrates just how vital clear communication and trust between governmental agencies and the public are during a crisis. Creating this trust, Deonandan says, is incredibly important for wildfires to be managed effectively. He makes the case that this trust is equally important for all long-term, future public health efforts.
Deonandan’s proposal couldn’t have come at a better time. This is important to note because after COVID-19, many citizens are rightfully doubtful on how the government should react during a crisis. He leaves us with a call to action, stating that restoring this trust is essential for effective partnership on future public health and public safety endeavors.
