First responders join forces to partner with Canucks Autism Network

Vancouver, BC – As of October 2021, the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, City of North Vancouver Fire Department, North Vancouver RCMP and North Shore Rescue have all completed training on how to identify and safely support people on the autism spectrum in emergency situations. Over 200 first responders attended the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) training, with the common goal of improving their understanding of autism to create a more inclusive and supportive North Shore community.

The prevalence of autism continues to increase, with 1 in 37 children being diagnosed in BC. Individuals on the autism spectrum are seven times more likely to interact with first responders in an emergency setting. Regardless of their age, autistic individuals can experience anxiety, sensory sensitivities and communication barriers, particularly in emergency environments. CAN training increases first responders’ basic understanding of autism, and improves the ability for fire, police and search and rescue personnel to respond to the unique needs of community members who are on the autism spectrum.

“We believe that every community should take action to support individuals on the autism spectrum,” said Hallie Mitchell, CAN Director of Children’s Programs and Community Training. “Before this partnership, we had never seen four first responder groups from the same municipality unite to receive our training. It’s a remarkable show of support for the North Shore’s autism community.”

According to Mike Danks, Assistant Fire Chief – North Vancouver City Fire Department (NVCFD), it is our duty as first responders to commit to continuous learning in order to best support the diverse needs of community members.

“First responders are dispatched to a myriad of calls for subjects with all ranges of abilities and backgrounds every day” stated Mike Danks. “It is of utmost importance to NVCFD and the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (DNVFRS) that we are well prepared and able to provide inclusive, comprehensive emergency response for every callout. It is our duty to flex and learn to meet and exceed the ever changing needs and requirements of our community. Our collaboration with CAN and our service partners to learn about autism has been engaging, comprehensive and vital.”

Sgt. Peter DeVries further highlighted how this deeper level of understanding can make all the difference between a positive and negative outcome.

“As police officers, every day, we encounter people from across society, spanning a range of abilities, challenges, and unique characteristics,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP. “As with every aspect of the work we do, having the proper tools and training can make the difference between success and failure, not just for us, but also for the person we encounter. This training gives us another tool we can use, and equips us to meet the diverse needs of those who are on the spectrum.”

CAN’s two-part workshop provided a valuable introduction to autism alongside practical strategies for communication and support. Participating firefighters, officers and search and rescue volunteers are also now armed with CAN resource kits that are housed aboard their vehicles. The kits include sensory toys to reduce anxiety, visual resources to improve communication, and noise-cancelling headphones to ease sensory sensitivities.

CAN is considered a provincial leader in providing autism training to a variety of community-level groups, including over 1,600 first responders across BC and beyond. View CAN’s full suite of autism training and resources at www.canucksautism.ca/training.

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About Canucks Autism Network
Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is dedicated to providing programs to individuals on the spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC and beyond. For more information, please visit canucksautism.ca.

For media inquiries:
Lindsay Petrie, Director of Marketing
Canucks Autism Network
Lindsay.petrie@canucksautism.ca
604.788.8565

It’s been a couple of years since we moved our headquarters to the Kitsilano neighbourhood in Vancouver.

But for years, we called the corner of Yukon and 2nd home. And just across the street is where our office staff got their daily caffeine fix at Starbucks. It wasn’t long before Store Manager Ann-Marie Lee-Teahen knew virtually the entire Canucks Autism Network (CAN) office team by name.

Although we’re no longer immediate neighbours, our friends at Starbucks remain CAN supporters who we are proud to celebrate this National Volunteer Week.

“When I became the community lead in my district, I reached out to CAN for volunteer opportunities,” said Ann-Marie.

“At that time, one of the managers in our district, Evelyn Campbell was a CAN mom.”

“Through CAN, her son Logan has been enrolled in so many sports and social programs. He has come leaps and bounds!”

As a group, Ann-Marie, Evelyn and their fellow baristas began volunteering in our office to help organize and prepare our program supplies. Ann-Marie even donated her time to support our Weekly Youth & Adult Program for a season.

“I received training and learned so much from the program with respect to understanding people with autism,” Ann-Marie said.

Our neighbours across the street were eager to contribute more to our community. So when we asked them to put up some posters to promote our CAN Family Festival in 2016, Ann-Marie got the idea to get involved with our events as well.

Hundreds of families needing to stay warm at our annual Festival of Lights at Van Dusen?

Starbucks was there.

Hockey players arriving early in the morning for an 8am game?

Starbucks was there!

Over the past six years, Starbucks has volunteered at CAN Family Festival, CAN Relay 4 Autism, CAN Festival of Lights and most recently the CAN Pro-Am.

And at each event, they were on hand bright and early or late at night offering a warm smile and a free coffee or hot chocolate!

But their incredible contributions don’t stop there. Through the Starbucks Foundation, Ann-Marie and her South Central Vancouver Starbucks District have donated a total of $3,000 to support CAN programs, training and community engagement initiatives.

Like many businesses, most Starbucks locations are closed due to the current health crisis. And our hearts go out to the many store managers, baristas and all those who are waiting to get back to work.

But knowing how committed they are to giving back, it came as no surprise that the Starbucks at Yukon St and 2nd Ave remains open to frontline workers.

Ever since our new life of social distancing began, Ann-Marie and her team have been serving free coffee to the many first responders and health care workers in their neighbourhood, including those from Vancouver General Hospital and Vancouver Police Department headquarters.

“It has been a very fulfilling experience, ensuring that our first responders can be the best they can be,” said Ann-Marie.  “If only through a cup of coffee.”

For most, a good day begins with a cup of coffee. For us, our daily lattes and cappuccinos turned into a friendship we have treasured for over six years and counting.

Thank you, Ann-Marie and Starbucks!


Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: “Be friendly to one another”

Vancouver Foundation: Extending CAN’s impact in Nanaimo and Kamloops

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CURRENT OFFER: For only $30, receive one year of MedicAlert protection, plus one FREE Canucks Autism Network MedicAlert ID.

  • Free basic MedicAlert ID or CAN MedicAlert ID ($39 value)
  • 12-month MedicAlert service plan

Offer code: AUTWALK19N
Offer expiry: Nov 30, 2019

Call MedicAlert at 1-855-632-5378 (Mon-Fri, 6am-5pm PST) to sign up today!
O
r fax in your completed form to 1-800-392-8422.


Oct 16, 2017

Statistics show that approximately 49% of children with autism wander or elope from their parent, guardian or from a safe environment.¹

Individuals with autism can also be hesitant or anxious when interacting with those they are unfamiliar with.

This can present a significant challenge for first responders and healthcare providers to deliver necessary care and attention in emergency situations. That is why the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is so excited to announce that we have collaborated with MedicAlert to increase the safety of individuals with autism nationwide.

MedicAlert is Canada’s leading provider of emergency medical information services. Subscribers of their service are given a unique identification number engraved on their MedicAlert ID which directly links first responders and healthcare providers to their photo, identity and vital medical information. For individuals with autism, their medical profile can include known routines, anxiety triggers and other conditions that may be relevant in an emergency situation.

MedicAlert is offering two unique CAN-branded ID sports bands as part of a special subscription package. For only $30, receive one year of MedicAlert protection, plus one FREE Canucks Autism Network Medicalert ID ($39 value).

To sign up for MedicAlert’s special Canucks Autism Network offer, please call MedicAlert at 1-877-217-7448 from Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm EST (6am-5pm PST).

Or fax in your completed form to 1-800-392-8422.

For families who may already be MedicAlert subscribers or who are interested in purchasing an additional sports band, the cost of a second sports band is eligible for reimbursement through autism funding in British Columbia.

Leading this collaboration with MedicAlert is CAN’s Manager of Strategic Partnerships, Ryan Yao:

“We are so excited to increase safety for individuals with autism nationwide through the Canucks Autism Network MedicAlert ID bracelet. First responders are 7 times more likely to interact with a person with autism than the general public. For that reason, it is crucial for individuals involved in emergency care to understand autism and be prepared to respond effectively and safely to situations involving those with autism.”

In 2016, Ryan also led the charge in providing autism training to over 500 first responders province-wide. With this new MedicAlert initiative, CAN’s autism training will now include details on the program so that first responders will know to quickly identify individuals with autism through the CAN-branded bracelets.

Together with MedicAlert and the first responder community, we are so thrilled to be increasing safety for individuals with autism and peace of mind for their families.

To sign up for MedicAlert’s special Canucks Autism Network offer, please call MedicAlert at 1-877-217-7448 from Monday-Friday, 6am-5pm PST.
Or fax in your completed form to 1-800-392-8422.

*Offer expires Nov 30, 2019.

¹Pediatrics, 2012

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