TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020

VOLUME 62, #11 19 WING COMOX TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019 Volume 61, #22 LS Lisa Wallace

K’omoks provides inspiration

the very important work for all of us Canadians. Huy chq u, gila kasla, thank you, merci beau- Richard Stewart Hardy This very important work also includes over coup. |K’OMOKS FIRST NATION | 1,000 military personnel that have stepped up Op INSPIRATION to the plate and assisted Canadian elders in On May 2 our and Uy skweyul, Uy kwunus ‘I lumnamu. long-term care facilities and medical institutions. the com- Uy skweyul to the women and men that serve But I would be remiss if I did not also men- menced Operation INSPIRATION as a means at CFB Comox. tion all of the behind the scenes work that our of uplifting the spirits of Canadians during this Uy skweyul to the women and men that serve armed forces have done for our communities, global pandemic, to pay tribute to the eff orts at Canadian Forces Bases across and from coast to coast to coast, whether they are of our healthcare workers, our front-line work- around the globe. transporting medical supplies, distributing food, ers and our fi rst responders, who have, and My K’omoks name is Namugwis and K’omoks hunting, fi shing and cutting fi re wood for people continue to put themselves at risk to serve Ca- would like to say huy ch qa - thank you - to our that are unable to do it themselves. nadians, and to give hope to Canadians that health care workers. Our front-line workers and Our troops have silently been taking care of better times are ahead. our fi rst responders that are in the trenches doing Canadians. Continued on page 2.

Notice to readers: Newsprint is a porous material: there are no known cases of transmis- sion of COVID-19 through paper products. Be reassured, all of us involved in getting the To- tem Times to you are taking the recommended physical distancing and handling precautions. If you are staying close to home, read the Totem Times online at CAFconnection.ca/Comox/TotemTimes.

Approved Service Provider to the DND Integrated Relocation Program

Royal LePage In the

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Email: [email protected] is renting out. $584,900 www.royallepage.ca/id/468502 $319,900 www.royallepage.ca/id/467233 2 | JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES K’omoks provides inspiration Continued from page 1 This operation was put into place just after six military members had tragically perished in a CH-148 Cyclone crash during a mili- tary exercise off the coast of Greece on April 29. And this just shortly after the horrifi c mass shootings that took place in Nova Scotia on April 19, which also claimed the life of RCMP Consta- ble Helen Stevenson. Unfortunately, on May 17, in Kamloops , Operation INSPIRATION was put on operational pause due to the crash of a Snowbird CT-114 Tutor aircraft, which claimed the life of Capt Jennifer Casey, and severely injured Capt Richard MacDougall. Over the period of just a few weeks a number of tragic events have not only impacted Cana- dians, but also our military brothers and sis- ters, and although our troops are professionals who continue to strap their boots on and go to work for us every day, they too are struggling with, or trying to decompress from these tur- bulent times. Being good neighbours Last week K’omoks reached out to CFB Co- people who can physically attend the event here mox to see if we could somehow provide some at 19 Wing, but rest assured that all of our mili- comfort to our military brothers and sisters dur- tary brothers and sisters at CFB Comox, at bas- ing these diffi cult times, to lift up their spirits, es across Canada and around the globe, you are to reach out to them, like good neighbours do. all in hearts and we hold our hands up to you. Today, K’omoks comes to Air Force Beach at 19 We know that Operation INSPIRATION is on a Wing Comox armed with our drums, our songs and hiatus, and at the appropriate time, the mis- our dances, and like so many Indigenous commu- sion will be completed. In the meantime, we nities across Canada, our drums, our songs and would like to show our gratitude and appre- our dances are an extension of our hearts. ciation to you all with some of our songs and Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, preventive dances. We are hopeful that we are able to lift measures are in place that limit the amount of up your spirits. Indigenous Awareness Week an opportunity to “open and learn” to increase their knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. Steven Fouchard Civilian Co-Chair Lisa deWit, from Wet’suwet’en |ARMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS | First Nation in British Columbia, joined the Nation- Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW) al DAAG in 2018. Including her time as a member is a national celebration that pro- The Canadian Armed Forces marked Indigenous of the local DAAG at Canadian Force Base Esqui- vides Canadians with the opportunity Awareness Week (IAW) and the 2020 edition ar- malt in British Columbia, she has been involved to learn about the history of Canada rived along with a milestone: the 25th anniver- in CAF Indigenous matters for nearly 10 years. sary of the CAF’s Defence Aboriginal Advisory “Over the last nine years I have seen growth s Indigenous Peoples and to partic- Group (DAAG). in a willingness to understand our cultures, our ipate in activities that highlight the DAAG is a national body, and part of a wider net- ways of knowledge and how Indigenous people rich diversity of the cultures, tradi- work of advisory groups at the local and region- hold constitutionally protected rights and title,” tions and values of the First Nations, al levels, off ering guidance to CAF leadership on she said. “The improvement in engagement has Inuit and Metis peoples. matters relating to Indigenous members, civilian now birthed a new challenge in capacity. Will the and military. DAAG continue as a volunteer network? Will po- Between May 15 and 22, the 19 Each group has military and civilian co-chairs sitions be embedded in the organization? What Wing Defence Team joined with the who volunteer their time along with members- a great challenge to have, as we are in a new to celebrate at-large. The Commander, LGen phase of growth, and seeing how the institution under the theme The Enduring Spir- Wayne Eyre, also holds the title of Defence Team will respond.” it of Indigenous Peoples: Honouring Champion for Indigenous Peoples. Military co-chair WO Simon Linklater is Anishi- IAW was observed virtually due to the COVID-19 naabe Ojibwe, from Couchiching First Nation in 25 years of DAAG. pandemic, and the DAAG national co-chairs urged Northwestern Ontario. their colleagues, and all Canadians, to make time Continued on page 3

A Division of Personnel Support Programs 19 Wing Comox, PO Box 1000 Stn. Main,Lazo, BC V0R 2K0 [email protected] 250-339-8211, ext 8752

MANAGING EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER EDITORIAL ADVISOR 19 WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS Camille Douglas Gillian Ottaway Capt Brad Little Lt Alexandra Hejduk [email protected] The Totem Times is an unoffi cial publication of 19 Wing Comox, BC. The Editor reserves the right to edit copy and reject advertisements to suit the needs of the publication. Views expressed are those of the contributor unless expressly attributed to DND, CAF, or other agencies. In case of typographical errors, no goods may be sold and the diff erence claimed against this paper. The paper’s liability is limited to a refund of the space charged for the erroneous item. Material may be reprinted with attribution. Published 22 times a year, every second Tuesday, with permission of Col Dany Poitras, 19 Wing Commander. Publications Mail Registration No.4098. Printed by Ladysmith Press, Ladysmith, BC. Circulation: 1800. Note to readers: Volume 62, Number 10 was not published on May 19, 2020 due to Coronavirus. JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES | 3 Indigenous Awareness Week

Continued from page 2 He has followed a similar trajectory, taking on the role in 2017 after gaining experience at the local and regional levels. “It was a wonderful experience working with dif- ferent people, getting diff erent exposures and seeing change come in,” he recalled. “We’ve had a lot of diff erent interactions with people in the chain of command over diff erent issues. Seeing we now have an Indigenous advisor to the Chap- lain General is fantastic. More and more people are reaching out for answers, information, and consultation.” Ms. deWit said the 25th anniversary is a good re- minder of the considerable work of her predeces- A traditional hoop dance is performed dur- sors in moving CAF forward on Indigenous issues ing a past Indigenous Awareness Week event and a refl ection of the resilience that has defi ned held at National Defence Headquarters in Ot- the Indigenous experience throughout history. tawa, Ontario. The enduring spirit of Indigenous Peoples “I am proud to be a part of this resilient web of school closed,” he added, “it was 1996. People amazing Indigenous people within the Department seem to have an idea of what First Nations are, of National Defence and CAF,” she said. “Its cur- what Indigenous is, and oftentimes it’s tied in to rent growth was made inch by inch, by those be- people long ago, and a diff erent time. But these fore us who started the conversation. They stood are current issues, and we are living, breathing up to ensure people knew we existed.” peoples across Turtle Island, and across the CAF. “They faced discrimination and racism, and felt And throughout it all, we believe that Indigenous alienated in an environment that did not yet re- people have shown enduring spirit to survive, to spect Indigenous ways of being. I raise my hands live, to try to foster the relationships, to try to walk to all of them, in gratitude, as they passed on the the good path and live the good life.” task and we continue, through these challenges, WO Linklater agreed that, while many Defence to make our ancestors proud.” Team members show a sincere desire to listen The DAAG anniversary, WO Linklater added, is and learn, challenges and negative attitudes still a good opportunity to consider not only Indige- persist. Nonetheless, he added, education is one nous peoples’ resilience, but also how diff erent- way forward, and he urged those with questions ly they and Canadians of European descent view during IAW to begin by doing some of the work our shared history. on their own. “Ever since contact, North America, Turtle Island, “One time when I walked into the gym some- has changed. It’s changed at diff erent points and one asked if they could ask me a question. And diff erent speeds for diff erent people. It is said I said, ‘Read this, look at this, listen to this per- women in Canada won the vote in 1917, yet In- son.’ I gave them some resources and next time digenous people were not allowed to vote feder- I walked in, they started asking follow-up ques- ally until 1960, so the true answer to that ques- tions, and it was quite refreshing. I think the whole As a Canadian Forces tion is 1960.” purpose of things like this is to encourage people member the Bank of “If you take a look at when the last residential to open and learn.” Montreal is here to guide and assist with all of your mortgage transactions. Comox Valley airport working Helping your family find a new home.

Pre-approvals for your posting notice. hard to adapt services Special Canadian Defence mortgage rates. Free banking. | YQQ | port staff have been swift to ensure that current best practices are followed and new regulatory Purchases, refinances. The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) has remained standards implemented. open since the start of the pandemic, and we will Behind the scenes, new bag screening equipment continue to adapt and develop new measures to is being installed which will help reduce security Contact Kelly Hamm protect both passengers and airport workers from wait times. HVAC systems are regularly serviced, the spread of COVID-19. with fi lters replaced to ensure clean air fl ow with- 250-204-9155 As always, we are extremely grateful for the on- in our terminal. Staff are using PPE and distanc- [email protected] going support of 19 Wing in terms of keeping aero- ing when necessary in order to carry out fueling drome operations running smoothly. Going above and other operational tasks. and beyond, 19 Wing has fabricated specialized Passengers are doing their part too: restricting aircrew masks on site. non-essential travel, adhering to isolation direc- We would also like to thank our airport partners— tives from public health, maintaining social dis- the small businesses that provide support to the tancing within the terminal, arriving equipped with airlines and passengers. They have reduced staff - non-medical masks for their personal use when ing levels, are working remotely, or have tempo- social distancing cannot be maintained, and ask- rarily closed. ing friends and family to stay outside of the ter- Like many frontline services, the work of our air- minal for pick up and drop off s. port staff continues to facilitate critical humanitar- On June 2, YQQ welcomed Pacifi c Coastal Air- ian work and essential travel, including medevac, line back. They will reinstate scheduled service military, and limited scheduled service via West- to Vancouver on Tuesdays and Thursdays, pro- Jet to and from Calgary. viding an option for those needing to connect to From suspending our Volunteer Ambassador pro- the Lower Mainland. gram at the start of March, to enhanced clean- YQQ will continue to work with each of our airlines ing regimens, installation of plexiglass screens at to support the gradual return of service and safely counters, spaced seating and fl oor markers, air- help facilitate the economic recovery for the region. 4 | JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES Local veteran celebrates 100th birthday Comox Valley resident Jim McGillawee turned 100 years old on May 14, and as a Second World War veteran being celebrated during a global pandemic, he was honoured by a physically dis- tanced parade. Mr. McGillawee was unable to celebrate with family and friends due to COVID-19 restric- tions, so the community brought the celebra- tion to his front yard. Members of 19 Wing Comox attended and formed up to salute the centenarian while sing- ing, a bagpiper provided entertainment. There was a steady stream of vintage cars, motorcy- cles and well-wishers from the Legion, 888 Wing, the CAV, his neighbourhood, friends and family. “All I am is another exhibit,” he said. “That’s all I am, just another exhibit, but I don’t mind it. It don’t hurt a bit. It’s one of the nicer days in life, you know, because I tell you, the attention I’ve had from my family who have done this for me.” Following the salute from 19 Wing a CH-149 Cormorant fl ew past, displaying a Canadian Flag to honour Mr. McGillawee. “It is a momentous day,” shared CWO Bob Pat- ten, Deputy Wing Commander CWO. “How of- ten do you get to meet a person who has hit 100 years old? This is a mile marker very few people will ever attain and to be able to meet people like this who have experienced every- thing that’s occurred over the last 100 years… it’s very important to us.”

Military Wives Choir origin story told in new movie The Canadian Military Wives Choir movement includes 15 choirs across the country all with the same vision: to provide a supportive net- work for women in the Canadian military com- munity through music. Now the incredible true story of the initial con- cept of the choirs, ‘Military Wives’, is being told through a feature fi lm that celebrates women across the military community coming togeth- er through singing. The very fi rst choir was formed in Catterick, UK, inspiring a phenom- enon of thousands of women in Military Wives Choirs worldwide. The legacy of the Military Wives Choirs gives women across the military community their voice in more ways than one. You can watch the movie at pr.levelfi lm.com/mil- itary-wives/, with a portion of your rental being donated to the Canadian Military Wives Choirs. You can watch the movie at pr.levelfi lm.com/ To watch a preview of the movie or to learn more about the movement in Canada, visit face- military-wives/, with a portion of your rental book.com/CanadianMilitaryWivesChoirs. being donated to the Canadian Military Wives “We are conscious that with the current times, Choirs. some scenes in the movie may be triggering,” expressed Sam Wildridge, a spokesperson for the Canadian Military Wives Choirs Association. new membership to the choirs, and the CMWC “Most of all, we want to support women who “We are encouraging those who need support wants to assure potential members that with may need an escape, a hobby, or to make new to contact their local MFRC or the Family Infor- a core repertoire of music across the network, friends on a new base,” concluded Sam. mation Line.” no matter where a family is posted, you can in- To learn more about the CMWC, vis it canadian- The origin story told in the movie may bring stantly join in! militarywiveschoirs.com. JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES | 5 Herc Fit launched for 435 Squadron members

Capt Morgan Cooper |435 TRANSPORT AND RESCUE SQUADRON | Maintaining fi tness during the pandemic has been a challenge for everyone. A lack of motivation combined with uncertainty about how to eff ec- tively work out at home may prevent some from getting the exercise they need. At 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Herc Fit was born to address this! Herc Fit is the product of a collaboration between Lt Carmen Kiltz, a pilot in training who competes with the CISM triathlon team, and MCpl Boucher- Kovacs, a technician. Herc Fit is a virtual fi tness initiative that provides workouts to squadron members and their families. Workouts are posted on the squadron Insta- gram account every Tuesday and Thursday, with plans to expand the program if interest dictates. The workouts are designed to be done at home with minimal equipment, so they are easily ac- cessible by everyone. While gym access and squadron grou p physical MCpl Boucher-Kovacs training sessions have defi nitely been missed by leads a Herc Fit training many, this has been a great alternative way to session from his home. get moving and maintain fi tness!

CUT BROOM IN BLOOM

Tuesday - Sunday 10am to 4pm Admission by donation

Featuring West Coast aviation history from WWI to present day, in a family friendly environment, an aviation reference library, and heritage aircraft. 250-339-8162 | comoxairforcemuseum.ca

You CAN stop the spread of Scotch Broom! Cut broom in bloom - at ground level! If you Other tips KRYSTAL PARSONS MORTGAGE SPECIALIST cut broom in bloom, it will die in the summer’s If a plant is too big to cut at the base, cut off dry heat. Use long handled loppers. Cut level all green branches at manageable level; it will 250.897.2756 with the ground - as low as you can go - below die. Don’t mow. Mowing does not kill broom, but [email protected] the lowest branches. Big broom dies easily. Pull only makes it grow back with multiple stalks. very small ones. Concentrate on areas where Broom needs sun - so create shade. New broom you can make a diff erence. seeds will be less likely to germinate in the shade Go after new infestations of thick grass and trees. Cut down the pioneers, single plants and small Disposal groups of broom fi rst. Cut back the advancing Broom cut in bloom will not spread. It can be edge. Work from the lighter edges towards the safely moved, chipped, composted, burned or dense center. taken to the dump. Once seedpods form, seeds Stop cutting broom when the seedpods form will mature. If broom is cut with seedpods, drop Green seedpods will continue to mature even in place, stack on top of itself in an infested area, after the plant is cut. Seedpods form in the be- or bag the seedpods and take to landfi ll. Com- ginning of June. Return next year to cut plants post in place or under trees. Burning is possible you missed and pull up any new seedlings. in the right season if your area allows it. Don’t disturb the soil For more information, visit broombusters.org. A broom plant can produce 18,000 seeds that Broombusters is an information society, and is not can live in the soil for 50 years. If you pull large responsible for broom removal, personal safety, broom, you will disturb the soil and many new or property damage. Arrange broom removal be- seeds will germinate. fore cutting, and cut at your own risk. 6 | JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES Ten tips for a better sleep 9. Take time to get Alicia Perry Search for 19 Wing comfortable, relax 19 WING HEALTH PROMOTION | | Health Promotion on You- and wind down before getting right into bed. tube to access their latest If you’re having trou- Wellness Wednesday vid- When life gets stress- larly important as we ble falling asleep each ful, sleep is often an may have lost some of eo each week. night, try adding ex- aspect that suffers those time anchors in tra time to read, light- the most. We know our life such as wak- ly stretch, or meditate that sleep can impact ing up at a specific before crawling in. our brain function in- time to drive to work, 10. Practice your cluding how alert we drop kids off at school version of self-care are, our mood and or attend a regular ex- throughout the day. Be overall mental health. tracurricular activity. kind to yourself. These Sleep is also recog- 2. If you don’t have are stressful times. nized in the CAF BAL- to work in your bed- Reach out to a friend, ANCE Strategy as one room, work in a diff er- family member, or col- of four key behaviours ent part of your home. league virtually and influencing physical Create a strong asso- naps, try to those lim- 6. Limit screen use ing and turning, get remember there are performance. ciation between your it long daytime naps before bed—not only out of bed and do many supports avail- Sleep can be thought mind, your bed and to short power naps can scrolling through something relaxing in able if you need to talk of as fuel for our brain sleep by creating a around 20 mins. social media make it very low light, then try to someone. to function optimally. comfortable bedroom 5. Be mindful of hard to wind down, getting back into bed. Health Promotion is So what can we do to reserved for sleep and what you’re consum- but the blue light 8. If you fi nd yourself off ering online work- enhance it? intimacy. ing right before bed emitted from screens waking up trying to re- shops on variety of Here are 10 tips to 3. Stay active through- – caff eine and nico- can suppress the nat- member your to-do list topics including in get you started on the out the day, but try to tine are stimulants ural production of for tomorrow, keep a depth discussions on path to better sleep: limit any strenuous ac- and might keep you melatonin, a hormone pen and paper beside sleep. Listen to a past 1. Set a consistent tivity right before bed up. While alcohol may our bodies make that your bed so you can recording, or check out wake and bed time, as it may make you help you fall asleep, it helps us sleep. jot the item down, get an upcoming course even on the week- more alert. can disrupt the quality 7. If you spend more it off your mind and fo- at CAFconnection.ca/ ends. This is particu- 4. If you’re taking of your sleep. than 20 minutes toss- cus on sleep. Comox/19WHP.

The Fitness and Community Centre remains closed, but you can fi nd us online at CAFconnection.ca or on Facebook!

Intersection golf is coming to a physically distanced course near you! Wednesday afternoons starting June 3 at Glacier Greens Golf Course, contact Paul Wright at local 8783 for details. Mark your calendar for intersection PSP on facebook golf:DND and June the 3 CAF and - covid-1917, July 8 andGovernment 22, of canada @19wingcomoxpsp Augustcanada.ca/en/department-national-defence.html 5 and 19, and Septembercanada.ca/ 9 COVID-19 information, Daily workouts and tips from our PSP staff. andInformation 23. and resources for military and COVID19 recommendations, and civilian members of the Defence Team. resources.

SISIP Financial gives back: Our products are custom built for the realities of life in the CAF. Air Force Museum opens But that’s not the only diff erence. The is ready to welcome visitors thanks Unlike other fi nancial institutions, our revenue is used to improve to the eff orts of staff and members of their volunteer team. Since the CAF community. closing the doors in March, the entire museum has been thorough- The Comox and Vancouver teams are ready to assist in whatever ly cleaned, and minor renovations took place to enhance physical your fi nancial or insurance needs may be. Whether it’s navigating distancing inside the building. Many volunteers have been work- the terminology of a fi rst time home buyer, refi nancing your exist- ing from home on special projects or for the Comox Valley Air ing mortgage or debt, or if you simply want to improve your fi nan- Force Museum Association during the two-month closure, and we cial knowledge – SISIP Financial is here for you! all know that the museum could not run without this team of ded- Contact the team by sending an email to Edna Wilson at wilson. icated volunteers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; [email protected] or call 250-339-5942 for an appointment. admission is by donation.

DAY CAMPS FOR MILITARY FAMILES families of the Canadian Armed Forces commu- open for applications - exclusively for day Thanks to donations from everyday Canadi- nity. The program provides grants for children camps - on Monday, June 15. First-time-camp- ans, Support Our Troops sends nearly 500 kids from military families to attend a week-long, ers who have yet to experience the joy of sum- to camp each summer! accredited summer day camp of their choice. mer camp will be prioritized. This year marks the seventh year of the Na- Day camp registration opens June 15 To learn more, or to apply on June 15, visit tional Summer Camps Program for children and The National Summer Camps Program will supportourtroops.ca/Get-Support/Camps. JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES | 7 Comox MFRC open to serve Due to the COV- porting the daycare staff and families that 19 Mission Support Squadron ID-19 pandemic, the needs of our essen- we serve continue to MFRC has had to re- tial workers and hope be of high importance MEMBER PROFILE think how we offer that some of these to us. We will have programs and ser- restrictions will be lower staff to youth vices. lifted as we move into ratios, strict screen- The MFRC adminis- the summer months. ing protocol, addi- trative building has In response to com- tional cleaning mea- been closed to the munity feedback, our sures, and we will not public since the be- Summer Camp pro- be travelling for fi eld ginning of April and gram has been ex- trips. we have moved to a panded to include Join the board! virtual platform. The school aged chil- The Comox MFRC team is excited to be dren ages 5 to 12. will hold their annual able to off er virtual The youth team has general meeting on programming so that planned a variety of June 24. The Board is Since the beginning of the pandemic, 19 MSS transport section we can reach out to fun and educational seeking military fam- has continued with routine tasks. Troops have been working along- as many of our mili- activities specifi cal- ily members to serve side the cooks support 19 Wing members who have been self-iso- tary families as pos- ly targeted to each the board of directors lated. Transport members deliver daily healthy meals, ensuring all sible. group. so that we truly re- precautions are made: wearing gloves and masks, and practicing Both of our day- Our summer camp fl ect one of the foun- physical distancing. cares have contin- will look differ- dational principals of Pte Bedard is one of the proud members of the transport section ued to operate dur- ent than originally the MFRC: for fami- that is providing support to 19 Wing throughout the COVID-19 re- ing COVID-19 under planned due to pre- lies by families. sponse. the guidance of the cautions we are tak- To learn more, con- Ministry of Child and ing to prevent COV- tact the board chair Family Development. ID-19. at board.chair@co- We are currently sup- The safety of our moxmfrc.ca.

New houses in Wallace Gardens

A special village has popped up in a dry creek bed between the res- idential housing units at 19 Wing! The colourful fairy village was spotted by a neighbour, who called the 19 Wing public aff airs offi ce to report the heart-warming sighting. BZ to the young residents of Wallace Gardens who created this fairy village for all to enjoy dur- ing the challenging period of the pandemic response.

Emergency family care: More support for military families during COVID 19

In times of crisis, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services under- stands that normal levels of support may not be enough. As part of the Emergency Family Care Assistance (EFCA) policy, we can provide military families with fi nancial assistance to help off set costs as- sociated with care of a family member. Depending on the situation, you may need to cover the cost of servic- 䄀吀吀䔀一吀䤀伀一 䴀䤀䰀䤀吀䄀刀夀 䴀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀匀℀ es up front but you will be reimbursed. 䌀漀洀攀 漀甀琀 愀渀搀 琀爀礀 漀甀爀 渀攀眀 愀洀愀稀椀渀最氀礀 搀攀氀椀挀椀漀甀猀 愀渀搀 Reimbursements will be issued by Military Family Services or your local 栀攀愀氀琀栀礀 匀琀漀渀攀最爀椀氀氀 䐀椀渀椀渀最 䔀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀℀ MFRC, and there is no cost to military families for using these services. How does it work? 吀栀椀猀 甀渀椀焀甀攀 ᰠ搀爀礀 挀漀漀欀椀渀最ᴠ 洀攀琀栀漀搀 椀猀 爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀搀 愀猀 If you are in an emergency situation and you need more support, you 戀攀椀渀最 漀渀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀氀琀栀椀攀猀琀 洀攀琀栀漀搀猀 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 琀漀搀愀礀⸀ can contact the Family Information Line (FIL) or the Comox MFRC. 匀椀洀瀀氀攀Ⰰ 栀攀愀氀琀栀礀Ⰰ 搀攀氀椀挀椀漀甀猀 愀渀搀 昀甀渀℀ 䌀漀洀攀 戀礀 愀渀搀 攀渀樀漀礀 You will be guided through a series of questions to assess your eligi- 琀栀攀 戀攀猀琀 猀琀攀愀欀Ⰰ 栀愀氀椀戀甀琀 漀爀 猀愀氀洀漀渀 礀漀甀 洀愀礀 攀瘀攀爀 琀愀猀琀攀⸀ bility for support under the EFCA policy. If you qualify for support, they will be able to provide you with more info as well as a local service pro- vider. If you do not qualify, they will redirect you to other possible sup- ㈀㌀㔀㔀 䴀愀渀猀昀椀攀氀搀 䐀爀⸀Ⰰ 䌀漀甀爀琀攀渀愀礀 ⨀䰀椀瘀攀 䔀渀琀攀爀琀愀椀渀洀攀渀琀 䘀爀椀⸀ ☀ 匀愀琀⸀⨀ port services. ⨀䈀攀攀爀 愀渀搀 圀椀渀攀 匀琀漀爀攀⨀ In Canada, call the FIL at 1-800-866-4546, or email FIL@CAFconnec- ⨀䄀氀氀 漀甀爀 挀漀氀搀 戀攀攀爀 愀渀搀 猀瀀椀爀椀琀猀 愀爀攀 tion.ca, or contact the MFRC during offi ce hours at 250-339-8290. To ㈀㔀 ⴀ㌀㌀㐀ⴀ㐀㔀 猀漀氀搀 愀琀 氀椀焀甀漀爀 猀琀漀爀攀 瀀爀椀挀攀猀 漀爀 戀攀氀漀眀⸀⨀ learn more about the EFCA, visit cafconnection.ca/emergencyfamilycare. 眀眀眀⸀眀栀椀猀琀氀攀猀琀漀瀀瀀甀戀⸀挀漀洀 8 | JUNE 2, 2020 | TOTEM TIMES EOD team disposes of cartridges during pandemic clean-up

| Cpl Jason Demoe |

19 AMS Explosives PADDLE BOARD, KAYAK & CANOE RENTALS Disposal Flight (EDF) is keeping busy dur- ing these tense and unanticipated times of a global pandemic. The new working hours have given our members the opportu- Social distancing on Comox Lake since 2014 nity to focus on main- taining kit, training, and more specialized aspects involving IED (improvised explosive device) disruptor tools. Keeping operational performance in mind, viduals at the shop to nance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched, creative solutions had accommodate for so- team was able to suc- and they were able to be made to help us cial distancing rules. cessfully dispose of to successfully collect continually meet or As always, duty tech- old cartridges, and the item and trans- exceed our high ex- nicians are still on a we have been able to port it to the range for pectations. We are 24/7 on-call posture accomplish the rear- proper disposal. doing this by having to ensure that we are ranging and clearing In short, the unfore- strong communica- operational. of the EOD range to seen pandemic has tions between mem- Furthermore, with better aid us. forced the EDF section bers, as well as being the ongoing COVID-19 As for calls, we re- to adapt and over- on 30 minutes’ notice situation, 19AMS EDF cently received one come. We are still will- to move. This also is still able to eff ec- from 442 Transport ing, and prepared to helps regulate indi- tively carry out the and Rescue Squad- fulfi ll the operational disposal procedures ron with regards to needs of the squad- for the demilitarizing a smoke marker that ron while responsibly of old pyrotechnics was left in the red am- following the current and ordnance. nesty container out- health authority pro- The Explosives Ord- side Hanger 14. Our tocols.

Read the Totem Times online! CAFconnection.ca/Comox/TotemTimes TIMES