21 Oct 2022 / ,
_MG_0236
Article submitted by 15985 Michael Johnstone, RMC Class of 1987
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. (https://team-rubicon.ca). A growing number of ex-cadets are volunteering doing everything from chainsaw work to leading strike teams and holding positions in the emergency operation centers.
These photos and the people I mention below are from one wave on one operation in PEI. There were several more waves that responded to Hurricane Fiona, both in Nova Scotia and PEI. TR has been in Canada and deploying since 2016 and also provided assistance with the forest fires in Fort McMurray.
My spouse and I, both ex-cadets, just returned yesterday from PEI where I (Michael Johnstone, College # 15985) was the Liaison Officer for TR in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). I have also been the Plans Chief in the EOC following the fire in Lytton, BC.
My spouse, Karen (Edwards) Johnstone (College #16850) did Site Surveys and was a sawyer, ie a chainsaw operator. Karen has also been the Public Information Officer in the EOC following the fire last year in Lytton, BC.
Jean-François Lemieux (College #13649) graduated a few years ahead of us, and was a Strike Team Leader and sawyer. He helps run the NCR region for Team Rubicon.
Kim Frawley (College #15964),  a classmate of mine, looked after logistics on our wave in PEI, performed Site Surveys, and was a swamper, ie cleared the wood and brush cut by sawyers.
Sylvain Gagné (College # 15870) was a Strike Team Leader and sawyer in PEI.
I think it’s fantastic to see our alumni lending their skills and experience in such a meaningful way. RMC should be proud, and I wanted to share this good news story with e-Veritas.

Jean-François Lemieux (College #13649) uses a pole saw to limb a downed tree while with Team Rubicon in Prince Edward Island on Oct. 11, 2022. PEI sustained severe damage from Hurricane Fiona and Team Rubicon deployed immediately to work alongside the province in providing assistance.

Image Credit: Alison Waddell, Team Rubicon

 

Kim Frawley (College #15964) removes wood cut by chainsaw operators with Team Rubicon in Prince Edward Island on Oct. 12, 2022. PEI sustained severe damage from Hurricane Fiona.

Image Credit: Alison Waddell, Team Rubicon

 

Sylvain Gagné (College #15780) uses a pole saw to attack a tree that is threatening a farmer’s fenceline while with Team Rubicon in Prince Edward Island on Oct. 11, 2022. PEI sustained severe damage from Hurricane Fiona and Team Rubicon deployed immediately to work alongside the province in providing assistance.

Image Credit: Karen Johnstone, Team Rubicon

Karen Edwards Johnstone (College #16850) uses a chainsaw to limb a tree that is blocking an emergency road in Prince Edward Island on Oct. 13, 2022. PEI sustained severe damage from Hurricane Fiona and Team Rubicon deployed immediately to work alongside the province in providing assistance.

Image Credit: Alison Waddell, Team Rubicon

 

Michael Johnstone (College #15985) works alongside team-mate Francis Duffy on chainsaw maintenance on Oct. 15. 2022. Michael worked in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre as the Liaison Officer for Team Rubicon from Oct. 10 thru Oct. 15, 2022 .PEI sustained severe damage from Hurricane Fiona and Team Rubicon deployed immediately to work alongside the province in providing assistance.

Image Credit: Alison Waddell, Team Rubicon

 

 

Karen Edwards Johnstone (College #16850) and Kim Frawley (College #15964) take a quick break from clearing a farmer’s laneway so he can access essential cattle feed in Prince Edward Island on Oct. 14, 2022. Karen was a chainsaw operator and Kim was the swamper, responsible for clearing debris as Karen cut. The two friends, from different years, met at RMC more than thirty years ago and have been friends ever since. Karen finds it very appropriate that Kim is cleaning up after her, while Kim looks forward to earning the chainsaw qualification herself in coming months so their roles can reverse.

Image Credit: Alison Waddell, Team Rubicon

5 Comments

  1. Isabelle Filion on October 21, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    The work Team Rubicon did in PEI is amazing! I’m sure the residents affected by the storm were very grateful. I’m a member of Team Rubicon in the NCR and also an ex-cadet (22614), and I was wondering if there would be more training available locally such as Sawyer 1 &2 or Core Operations. Thank you! and Thank you for your great work in PEI!

    Reply
  2. Ian M. Galbraith on October 21, 2022 at 7:03 pm

    A wonderful activity! Well done!

    Reply
  3. Kim Scanlan on October 23, 2022 at 6:45 am

    I had no idea that TRC membership included so many RMC graduates. Fantastic!!! Way to Represent!!!

    And for anyone who is interested in joining your brothers & sisters check out http://www.team-rubicon.ca

    Reply
  4. Joanna Calder on October 23, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    Kim and Karen, you two are so cool! (So are you, Mike.)

    Reply
  5. Peter McDougall on October 23, 2022 at 6:02 pm

    As an Islander affected by the storm, can’t put into words how grateful we were for the support from Team Rubicon and so many other official agencies and volunteer orgs. Bravo !! TDV

    Reply

Leave a Comment





Search eVeritas

Recent Posts

Categories