PPE Shields Assembled for Distribution to Island Health Staff
Small local group takes action to provide much needed shields for distribution to the healthcare system.
Quadra Island, BC – Small local group takes action to provide much needed shields for distribution to the healthcare system. Regional collaboration between small business, local government and individuals enabled the assembly and packaging of over 5,500 shields.
A one of a kind project that took place at the Quadra Island Community Centre two weeks ago shows the resilience of small communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Andreas Hagen of Study Build shares “The goal of the Shield Project was to respond to a Call-to-Action and provide much needed PPE’s to our incredible frontline workers within Island Health. We are so grateful for the risks that these individuals take everyday for all of us.” Hagen goes on to say, “The project provided an opportunity to show solidarity within our community against COVID-19. To show that our small communities can also play an important part in the solution and that we are not helpless against this disease.”
The Shield Project represents the ability that individuals in small, rural communities can have when a Call-to-Action presents itself. It is a reminder that our region has much to offer and its contributions are endless when people work together. The project is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of a number of businesses, groups, governments and individuals. Please see the list of contributors provided.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) recognizes the importance of regional participation and resilience during this time and is proud of its residents and the opportunity to have played a small role in supporting this initiative. “In these times, good news stories and results like these need to be celebrated. What this group has been able to achieve in such a short time is remarkable.” states Aniko Nelson, Senior Manager, SRD Community Services. “We believe it is important to share the success of this story, although the true success may never be known, as it is our hope that this story will motivate more of our residents in the region to take action, big or small, and together our successes are infinite.”
Hagen looks forward to the possibility of providing more shields in the future and continuing to be involved in a number of important local initiatives. To find out how you may be able to put yourself into action and support this and upcoming initiatives, please contact Andreas Hagen at andreas@study-build.com.
The Strathcona Regional District is a partnership of four electoral areas and five municipalities providing services to approximately 49,000 residents.
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Media contacts:
Aniko Nelson
Strathcona Regional District – Senior Manager, Community Services
250-830-6708 | anelson@srd.ca
Andreas Hagen
Owner/Operator Study Build
andreas@study-build.com
The following contributions are recognized:
- Cris Fletcher at G2 CNC
Cris is the passionate, intelligent and kind owner/operator of G2 CNC. He represents what thoughtful, hyper-local, small scale manufacturing can look like in a rural island community. He is able to do everything from box and case manufacturing through cutting of the raw material and if it were not for him, this project would not have been a go. He secured the two large rolls of plastic for the project and volunteered countless hours of his own time to iterate on the excellent design from Camosun to make it work for the thinner material he was able to procure. Cris’ deliberate work and dedication ensured that the raw materials were ready for assembly and production.
Patrick, the owner of Shelter Point Distillery, answered a call the day before assembly began on Quadra Island as the project was in need of a variation to the cleaning product used for the sanitization of the shields – a lower glycol to make sure they were streak-free. – Patrick’s response, without hesitation, was “What do you need, how much of it do you need and how can I get it to you?”. That very evening he opened up the distillery and provided the project with everything that was needed in order for assembly to proceed the next morning. The project is inspired by his enthusiasm and support of our local community.
- Campbell River, Strathcona Regional District & Quadra Island
The people and this place have a gravitational pull that is hard to describe. Rose Klukas, Economic Development Campbell River, has done an incredible job creating a culture of collaboration between government, individuals and small business. Her people-centric and place-first approach has engendered the formation of organizations like CRAAG and initiatives like TECHatchery that are instilling in all of us a sense that ‘yes we can!’
Aniko Nelson and Shaun Koopman from the Strathcona Regional District are examples of what happens when our public servants are empowered to make decisions and respond quickly to local needs. They were pivotal in making sure we had a space and several needed resources to move forward with assembly on Quadra Island, which is located within the Strathcona Regional District.
Danielle and Andreas Hagen are Study-Build. Andreas shares “We love working with people and we love it here on Quadra Island, where we live. We love working with thoughtful, creative and caring individuals who have a passion for the place we live. We volunteered all of our services to help move the project forward through to completion. We spearheaded the assembly part of the process and participated heavily in testing and design iteration with Cris Fletcher at G2 and delivered prototypes to Island Health in Victoria for review. We also coordinated the provision of and payment for the food that was catered by local businesses for our assembly team. We established the assembly protocols and it was a privilege to work on this project with so many talented individuals.”
- The Quadra Island Community Centre.
This is one of the most treasured spaces in the area. It is a place where everyone is welcome and where amazing things happen from world-class performing arts, summer programming for children, winter markets and baseball tournaments through community lunches. Rebecca and the board of directors have an eye towards making this one of the most inclusive and welcoming spaces. The Shield Project is fortunate to have had the use of this space for the project. - The Assembly Team
Over 25 individuals went through a detailed pre-screening process to assist in assembling and sanitizing the shields. The project would not be what it is if it were not for such a fantastic and motivated crew.
7. Doctors Natasha Rafo and Sameen Ahmed
These professionals reviewed the protocols that were put in place and provided thoughtful education and guidance for mitigating risks throughout the process. They helped develop clear, simple procedures that had a focus on working clean and keeping as distanced as possible throughout the assembly process. They also each stressed the importance of mental health throughout this process and encouraged all to keep in touch and to be supportive of each-other. The project is exceptionally grateful for their help.
8. Volunteer Crew
Without these people, this project would not have worked. Each of them was critical in making sure that the space was monitored, that social distancing was adhered to, that all cleaning procedures were followed and that everybody felt happy and safe. They helped create the positive ‘can-do’ attitude that all who participated felt. Each of these individuals contributed ideas and helped refine the process:
- Sam and Andrea Whittingham
- John and Bev Barkley
- Sameen Ahmed
- Rob and Diana McKerracher
- David Baar
- Dee Brink
- Andreas and Danielle Hagen
9. Nourishment for the Assembly Team
The project is grateful for the food provided at a social distance and would like to recognize the following:
- Heidi from Java Bay; Coffee and fresh baking for morning of Day 1.
- Dan and Carly from Kameleon Cafe – incredible boxed lunch on Day 1.
- Dave and Marie from Cafe Aroma; coffee and snacks on Day 2.
- Heriot Bay Inn – Lois, Christi and their incredible crew for boxed lunches on Day 2.
- Darryl from the Clove Pizza. for a socially distant celebration outside to round out the end of Day 2.
10. Island Health
This project allowed the incredibly talented individuals within Island Health to be recognized. In particular, the project would like to acknowledge Matthew Miller and Martin Poulin. Matthew was an incredible shephard of this project within Island Health, providing helpful advice and thoughtful guidance throughout the process. Martin and his team of testers at Royal Jubilee were incredibly quick and responsive in testing and reviewing the last design interactions. The Project is so grateful for everything that Island Health is doing.
11. Quadra Island Quilting Society.
A team of very thoughtful individuals from the Quadra Island Quilting society made beautiful masks for the assembly team, a critical part of the PPE. The Project is ever so grateful for the contributions of the following individuals who helped produce those masks:
- Bev Barkley
- Ellen Russell
- Joan Varley
- Mary Melnechencko
- Emma Chandler
- Diana McKerracher
- Fay Bullock