Title: Disaster and Health Emergency Urban Systemic Risk (DHEUSeR) Transformation Cluster
Funding Agency: DHEUSeR (Disaster and Health Emergency Urban Systemic Risk Transformation Cluster)
Goal: To develop interdisciplinary methods and digital tools to assess and mitigate the impact of solar storms on power systems, enhancing infrastructure resilience and public safety.

Project Summary

Complex hazards and systemic vulnerabilities are converging, leading to disruptive disaster and health emergency events that can escalate in frequency and severity while reverberating and cascading across multiple scales. The idea of systemic risk has been on the global health, financial crisis and sustainability agenda since the turn of the century. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need and demand for a transformative approach to the interconnected and systemic factors and processes in order to safeguard and enhance health and sustainability in urban contexts. Systemic risk events are predominantly urban, and urban demographic, socioeconomic, technological and environmental forces play a decisive role in defining vulnerability and inequity.

Transformative changes are needed in concepts, models, policy, governance, and operational tools to identify and manage systemic risks of disaster and health emergencies in urban contexts. "Disaster and Health Emergency Urban Systemic Risk (DHEUSeR) Transformation Cluster” responds to this set of needs.

Key Research Areas

Thematic areas:

• I. Risk Analysis: Identification, Monitoring, Forecasting, Modelling and Measurements
• II. Social, Psychological, and Behavioural Dimensions:
• III. Policy, Ethics, and Society
• IV. Risk Transferring, Sharing and Financing V.Digital Tools and Platforms:
• VI. Scenario and Simulation Drills
• VII. Governance, Civil Society Action Strategy: Equity-Plus Networks; Transformative Change workshops. 

Subprojects include:

• Risk Transferring, Sharing & Financing - Leads: Ida Ferrara and Eduard Furman (Theme IV)
• Disasters and Health Emergency Management - Policy and Ethics - Leads: Jennifer Spinney and Eric Kennedy (Themes II & III)
• Computational Methods for Mitigation of Solar Storm Effects - Leads: Afshin Rezaei-Zare and Maleknaz Nayebi (Themes V & VI)
• Disaster & Emergency Operations and Management Modeling, Series Game, and Exercise - Leads: Ali Asgary and Jianhong Wu (Theme VI)

Key Contributors

Principal Investigator: Professor Jianhong Wu
Co- Principal Investigator: Dr. Afshin Rezaei-Zare

Funding and Resources

• NSERC Alliance – Mitacs
• SSHRC PEG
• Ontario Wildfire Program
• Fields-Sanofi Collaboration (Fields Institute)
• NSERC Alliance (separate from Mitacs)

Impact and Future Goals

To develop advanced computational tools and methods that assess the impact of solar storms on power systems—specifically focusing on geomagnetically induced currents (GIC)—with the broader aim of contributing to national and international research initiatives. This project supports the long-term sustainability goals of the DHEUSeR Cluster by aligning with external funding strategies, such as NSERC Alliance, NFRF, and SSHRC, and advancing Canada’s resilience against space weather threats through digital innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

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Project Overview

Title: Developing a North American Blueprint for Wildland Fire ScienceProject Overview
Funding Agency: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)
Goal: To strengthen predictive services and support knowledge retention within wildland fire management agencies, enhancing decision-making and organizational resilience across North America.

Project Summary

This project aims to develop a foundational blueprint for wildland fire science by focusing on two key areas: Predictive Services (PS) discovery and design, and expertise-based decision-making. Through a collaborative research agreement between 91��ɫ and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the project supports the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) division in enhancing wildland fire management capabilities.

Under the leadership of Dr. Eric Kennedy, the project engages 91��ɫ researchers in close partnership with AFFES personnel to co-design predictive service models and strategies for organizational knowledge retention. The initiative seeks to address operational challenges posed by climate change, increasing wildfire complexity, and the loss of experienced personnel due to retirements. It emphasizes the use of evidence-based tools, literature reviews, and expert consultations to guide decision-making frameworks and training approaches.

Key Research Areas

• Predictive Services Design: Conducting multi-jurisdictional reviews, expert consultations, and synthesizing findings to recommend models for Ontario’s predictive services.
• Knowledge Retention & Expertise Development: Reviewing decision-making frameworks, identifying best practices for organizational learning, and co-developing guidance documents for AFFES.
• Collaborative Learning: Engaging stakeholders from wildland fire management agencies across North America to exchange insights and build a shared vision for future operations.

Key Contributors

Project Lead: Dr. Eric Kennedy (Principal Investigator)
Co-Investigators and Collaborators:

• AFFES leadership and staff
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry personnel
• Early career researchers and trainees at 91��ɫ

Project Duration

Start Date: December 11, 2023
End Date: March 31, 2025

Impact and Future Goals

The project is designed to provide actionable strategies to improve Ontario’s wildland fire predictive capabilities and retain institutional expertise. Its outputs will inform future policy, training, and operational planning in the face of growing wildfire risk. Ultimately, the project contributes to a broader North American strategy for resilient and science-informed wildland fire management.

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Project Overview 

Title: Understanding and Improving Wildfire Risk Mitigation Partnerships with Local Governments 
Funding Agency: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) – Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative 
Goal: To build and mobilize foundational wildland fire knowledge and enhance partnerships between local governments for wildfire risk mitigation. 

Project Summary 

This project focuses on improving wildfire risk mitigation efforts by fostering collaboration between local governments and key stakeholders. It is part of the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, aiming to create more resilient communities in the face of increasing wildfire risks due to climate change. Through this initiative, 91��ɫ researchers are working alongside local governments to understand wildfire risks better and develop comprehensive strategies for risk reduction. 

The project will leverage knowledge and research to improve policies and actions at the local government level. By bringing together experts from various fields, it seeks to enhance preparedness and response mechanisms for wildfire risks, contributing to the overall safety and sustainability of affected communities. 

Key Research Areas 

• Wildfire Risk Assessment: Developing tools and methodologies for identifying high-risk areas and assessing vulnerabilities. 

• Policy Development: Creating strategies for integrating wildfire mitigation into local governance frameworks. 

• Community Engagement: Strengthening partnerships between local governments, communities, and experts to ensure more effective mitigation actions. 

Key Contributors 

• Project Lead: Eric Kennedy (Principal Investigator) 

• Co-applicants: Erin Belval, Catrin Edgeley, Toddi Steeleman, Eric Toman 

• Collaborators: Local government agencies and stakeholders from wildfire-prone regions 

Funding and Resources 

• Overhead Costs: The project allows for overhead expenditures up to 15% of NRCan’s contribution. 

• Project Duration: The project spans several years, with major milestones and deliverables planned for each phase. 

Impact and Future Goals 

This project aims to directly impact local government strategies for wildfire risk mitigation, ensuring more coordinated, efficient, and effective responses to wildfire threats. The goal is not only to improve safety but also to build long-term resilience in communities at risk from wildfires. 

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Project Overview

Title: Understanding Participation in FireSmart's Neighbourhood Recognition Program
Funding Agency: Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc. (CIFFC)
Goal: To explore the factors influencing participation in the FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP), with a focus on identifying key motivations, barriers, and strategies for expanding the program's impact.

Project Summary

This project, led by Dr. Eric B. Kennedy, is focused on understanding the dynamics of participation in FireSmart's Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP). The research seeks to investigate the motivations behind individuals' involvement, the barriers that prevent wider participation, and ways to increase diversity among participants. This work will contribute to improving FireSmart’s effectiveness in mitigating wildfire risks in communities across Canada.

The project will include:

• Literature review on engagement in wildfire prevention programs
• Identification of barriers to participation and strategies for overcoming them
• Expanding the demographics of NRP participants
• Insights into the role of community champions in the NRP

Key Research Areas

• Community Engagement: Understanding the motivations for becoming a champion and member of FireSmart's NRP.
• Barriers to Participation: Identifying and addressing challenges to involvement in NRP.
• Diversity in Participation: Expanding the demographic range of NRP participants to ensure a broader and more inclusive representation.

Key Contributors

• Project Lead:
• Co-applicants:
• Partner Institution: Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc. (CIFFC)
• Research Assistants: Graduate students and staff at 91��ɫ, involved in data analysis and report preparation.

Duration: February 10, 2025 - February 10, 2026

Impact and Future Goals

This project will help improve participation in FireSmart’s NRP by identifying the factors that drive engagement and those that hinder it. By building a more inclusive and engaged community, FireSmart can expand its impact in mitigating wildfire risks. The findings will also contribute to knowledge mobilization, helping to shape policies and best practices for community-based wildfire prevention programs across Canada.Understanding Participation in FireSmart's Neighbourhood Recognition Program

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