When Disaster Hits: Is Your Organization Prepared?

May 8, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PDT)

Description

Join us for breakfast at the The Vancouver Golf Club, for a thought-provoking discussion that explores the evolving landscape of disaster preparedness and emergency management. 

This engaging event will bring together experts from municipal government, education sector, insurance, and emergency response to share insights on how organizations and communities can strengthen resilience in the face of growing climate and operational risks.

Extreme weather, wildfires, flooding, cyber threats, and infrastructure disruptions are becoming more frequent and complex. For businesses, governments, and communities, the question is no longer if a crisis will occur—but how prepared we are when it does. Across Canada, organizations are increasingly investing in emergency preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and advanced technologies to better anticipate and respond to disasters.

The session will include a live demonstration of the SkyScout AI wildfire intelligence platform — a product of BCIT's industry-academia research partnerships — showing how drone-based AI can map wildfire risk before fires start.

Through expert perspectives and real-world examples, we will examine:

• Emergency preparedness, response, and disaster recovery strategies to help organizations respond quickly and minimize long-term impacts.
• Technology and data in emergency management, including AI, predictive analytics, and monitoring systems that improve forecasting and response coordination.
• Resilient urban planning and infrastructure, with cities redesigning communities to better withstand floods, wildfires, and extreme weather.
• Collaboration and sustainability in disaster management, bringing together public agencies, businesses, and community leaders to prepare for climate-related emergencies.

Cities across Canada are increasingly incorporating resilience into their planning—combining strong infrastructure design, adaptive land-use strategies, and community engagement to reduce the impact of disasters.

This session will also highlight how smart planning, innovative technologies, and cross-sector collaboration can help communities recover faster and build stronger systems for the future.

Whether you are a business leader, municipal planner, emergency manager, or community advocate, this event will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to ensure your organization—and your community—is ready when disaster strikes.

SPEAKERS

The Honourable Minister Kelly Greene, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)

Minister Kelly Greene was first elected as the MLA for Richmond–Steveston in 2020 and was appointed Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in November 2024. She previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for public education, as well as social and environmental issues across British Columbia.

Prior to serving in the legislature, Kelly was elected to Richmond City Council, where she worked to preserve Richmond’s farmland and protect the local environment. She also co-founded a community advocacy group dedicated to keeping Richmond’s public schools open, properly funded, and seismically safe—goals the group ultimately achieved.

Dr. Michal Aibin, Program Head of the Master of Science in Applied Computing, BCIT

Dr. Michal Aibin is Program Head of the Master of Science in Applied Computing at BCIT and Vice Chair of IEEE Vancouver Section. His research focuses on AI-driven disaster management, particularly wildfire prediction and detection using UAV-mounted computer vision systems. With over $1 million in Mitacs funding secured across multiple industry partnerships, Dr. Aibin leads collaborative projects developing next-generation technologies to protect BC communities and critical infrastructure.

Video Global News BC story Mapping Wildfire Risk with Drones

BCIT News Story Disaster Resilience Research Interns

Caleb Donald, Senior Project Manager, Barclay Restorations  

Caleb Donald is a Senior Project Manager, specializing in Complex & Large Loss assignments, who has been in the restoration industry since 1999. Throughout his years in restoration, Caleb has earned several IICRC certificates such as WRT (Water Restoration Technician), FSRT (Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician), CDS (Commercial Drying Specialist), ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), CCT (Carpet Cleaning Technician) , RCT (Rug Cleaning Technician), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), ACT 301 (Level 2 Asbestos Certification) In addition, other recognized industry accreditations such as, Xactimate 1, Fall Protection & Confined Space Entry Training.

Pedro Bilbao, Acting Manager of Emergency Mangement, BC Hydro 

Pedro Bilbao is the Acting Manager of Emergency Management at BC Hydro, responsible for leading emergency preparedness, planning, and responsible readiness across the province's critical electricity infrastructure. Pedro brings over 19 years of experience in the emergency field, having served as a fire service officer and incident commander in a fast‑paced urban environment, supporting provincial emergency operations and large‑scale nuclear planning and exercises, and consulting for major banks and pension plans on enterprise emergency preparedness. His perspective combines hands‑on operational response with strategic planning and coordination across government, critical infrastructure, and the private sector.

MODERATOR

Ben Peco, Director, Security & Emergency Management, BC Hydro

Ben provides strategic leadership and oversight for programs that safeguard BC Hydro’s people, assets, and operations. He ensures organizational resilience through a comprehensive, risk-based approach encompassing physical security, emergency preparedness, business continuity, public safety, and wildfire and fire risk management.