On 9 October 2009, the Canadian Government honoured FOCUS Canada and the Ismaili Council for Canada for their contribution in improving the lives of refugees, at a ceremony marking its 30th Anniversary of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.  These successful community-based resettlement programmes assured the newly settled families access to resources, basic needs, information and practical assistance to help them adjust to their environment.  The programmes also enabled families to access education, health services, language training, job placements and entrepreneurial opportunities.  Since 1994, FOCUS Canada has evolved significantly. It now provides disaster risk management programmes, endeavours to build local community capacity and fosters an enhanced state of disaster resilience.

In addition, Emergency Response Team trainings are organised on a regular basis, testing skills through the use of disaster scenarios.  During these exercises, teams are able to refresh their skills in Incident Command System and Emergency Operations Centre management. 

FOCUS has also conducted a Disaster Management Leadership Training Conference to help prepare North American RDMT leads to effectively respond in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.  Participants completed a training conducted by experts who were knowledgeable on hazards that occur in Australia, Canada, Papua New Guinea and the United States of America.  During the training, participants had the opportunity to share best practices and experiences, while trainers also shared lessons learned. 

In 2016, FOCUS Canada and USA held its first North American simulation exercise with the objective to assess cross-border response capacity.  The exercise assessed teams at local, regional and national levels, and provided an opportunity to examine communications and decision-making processes, cross-team collaboration, and other disaster response procedures.  Preparedness initiatives are also undertaken at a community level.  The community is engaged on an annual basis through initiatives such as the ShakeOut, which originated in California.  This is the largest annual earthquake drill in the world, designed to help individuals reduce their risk of death and injury by practicing earthquake safety procedures.  Participants of the ShakeOut are taught what to do in the event of an earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold On when the earth shakes.

By participating in such events, FOCUS Canada applies lessons learned, experiences, and resources, to help vulnerable communities be better prepared and more effectively respond to disasters.  FOCUS Canada also encourages individuals and families, in particular the elderly and vulnerable, to be better prepared to face a range of emergencies and ensure they are self-sufficient for 72 hours after a disaster.  This type of preparedness messaging is based on guidance from the Government of Canada’s emergency preparedness website www.getprepared.gc.ca.

The three simple steps that FOCUS Canada promotes include:

1. Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region (like what to do in the case of floods, tornados, earthquakes, storm surges, hurricanes, and technological or environmental accidents such as chemical spills and power failures) can help us better prepare. 

2. Make a plan – Every household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your families know what to do if disaster strikes.  We should all practice what to do in different emergency situations.

3. Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we may need to get by without power or tap water. We will all need some basic supplies (such as a 3-day supply of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries - a battery-operated or wind-up radio, first aid kit, pocket knife, prescriptions, extra set of keys and money, and copies of important documents).  Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

In June 2013, Canada was hit with severe flooding across Southern Alberta.  Overall, the flooding displaced approximately 120,000 people in 31 communities across Alberta through mandatory evacuations.  75,000 of those were in Calgary with another 13,000 to 15,000 in High River.  The community preparedness initiatives conducted by FOCUS Canada prior to the floods equipped the Ismaili Council with the skills and tools to respond to the situation promptly and effectively. 

Through building community capacity well in advance of the crisis, teams of local volunteers were coached on response measures before the disaster struck. 

As an example, FOCUS Canada provided extensive training in the Incident Command System and Emergency Operations Centre for RDMTs and Ismaili Council leadership who were able to support in the response effort.  During the floods, FOCUS Canada also offered resources externally to government authorities, and over 200 volunteers registered to provide support as required by the Red Cross.

In December 2013, a massive ice storm affected various areas of Ontario and Quebec, with freezing rain hitting most of Eastern Canada.  More than 250,000 residents were without power across a widespread area including Toronto and other Greater Toronto Area (GTA) communities.  FOCUS Canada activated the National and Regional Disaster Management Teams to assist with the response.  FOCUS also cross-checked mapping data with power outage map data to identify the affected areas.  Volunteers were engaged by FOCUS Canada to aid in the emergency response effort.  A warming centre was activated, and the elderly and vulnerable were provided with basic needs.

FOCUS Canada also has a long established partnership with the Justice Institute of British Columbia and works with its disaster specialists across Canada and in the USA to conduct emergency management training and drills for volunteers, staff and local communities across Canada.