Schools aren’t just places of learning — they’re often the largest, most accessible, and most familiar buildings in a community. This makes them natural candidates for emergency hubs during crises like wildfires, floods, heatwaves, or even pandemics.
Why It Matters
Accessibility: Most communities already know where their local school is and how to get there.
Infrastructure: Schools have kitchens, gyms, open spaces, and sometimes backup power that can be repurposed in emergencies.
Trust: Schools are neutral, familiar spaces, lowering barriers for people in distress to seek help.
Canadian Context
Wildfire evacuations: In places like Alberta and British Columbia, schools have served as temporary shelters during mass evacuations.
COVID-19: Gymnasiums became vaccination sites and testing centers.
Rural and remote areas: Schools may be the only large facility available for emergency coordination.
Equity concerns: Schools in wealthier districts often have better facilities, while underfunded schools may lack capacity to serve effectively.
The Opportunities
Formal designation: Making schools part of municipal emergency planning, with resources allocated in advance.
Infrastructure upgrades: Investing in backup power, water, and communications systems at schools.
Community training: Preparing staff and volunteers to mobilize schools in times of crisis.
Partnerships: Linking schools with health agencies, municipalities, and emergency services.
The Bigger Picture
Schools can be more than educational institutions — they can be anchors of resilience. By formalizing their role in emergency response, Canada could better prepare communities for the increasing crises brought on by climate change and other disruptions.
The Question
Should Canada invest in designing schools as dual-purpose facilities — places of learning in normal times, and fully equipped community emergency hubs when crisis strikes?
Schools as Emergency Hubs
Beyond Classrooms
Schools aren’t just places of learning — they’re often the largest, most accessible, and most familiar buildings in a community. This makes them natural candidates for emergency hubs during crises like wildfires, floods, heatwaves, or even pandemics.
Why It Matters
Canadian Context
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
Schools can be more than educational institutions — they can be anchors of resilience. By formalizing their role in emergency response, Canada could better prepare communities for the increasing crises brought on by climate change and other disruptions.
The Question
Should Canada invest in designing schools as dual-purpose facilities — places of learning in normal times, and fully equipped community emergency hubs when crisis strikes?