Face Shields for Island Health

It has been a privilege to work on a number of collaborative projects with the Campbell River Area Angel Group, the City of Campbell River, the Strathcona Regional District, government organizations like Island Health and many talented business and individuals in our region. We wanted to share a celebration video that was produced locally to celebrate our local Face Shield Project for Island Health, which wrapped in early May. Here it is:

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt1Z0C7k1Hk&w=480&h=270]

( https://youtu.be/Xt1Z0C7k1Hk)

Reflections

At a time when supply chain security, local production, economic capacity building and resilience are at the forefront of conversations, this project provided a focused opportunity for many of us to explore our capabilities in region by responding to a national Call to Action to produce PPE for our medical professionals. The project involved identifying a specific and important need, assessing our local capabilities, sourcing hard-to-get materials including kilometers of film and elastic, iterating over and testing several designs, developing safety protocols for an assembly team, setting up a small-scale manufacturing facility and coordinating the delivery of a packaged end-product. The experience was overwhelmingly positive for the many of us who were involved - many virtual high-fives where shared by small businesses, individuals and government agencies. There were also challenging moments that required perseverance and the support of thoughtful individuals.

All of us involved have had time to reflect on the project. We would like to share our experiences with others in the hopes that a thoughtful exchange of information may help us all continue to fight COVID-19, together and that we may find additional ways of moving our economy forward thoughtfully and productively during these challenging times. In the coming weeks, we will share our experiences in the following areas:

1. Design iteration and the use of locally available technology to manufacture face shields. This work happened at G2 CNC in Campbell River under the direction of Cris Fletcher and with assistance from Study Build on Quadra Island.

2. The development of safety protocols, which included:

   1. Research of publicly available resources at Worksafe BC and adapting them for our use.

   2. Leveraging online resources available through our provincial Office of Public Health.

   3. Soliciting guidance and support from talented healthcare professionals including Dr. Sameen Ahmen on Quadra Island and Dr. Natasha Rafo in Campbell River.

   4. Securing sanitization supplies and PPE for our assembly team and process. This was, in large part, possible thanks to The Strathcona regional District and Patrick and his incredible team at Shelter Point Distillery.

3. The challenges that come with a project like this, including:

   1. Estimating timelines and deliverables.

   2. Mobilizing a workforce.

   3. Identifying individuals within government and within larger organizations to help move projects forward

   4. The management of wellbeing and especially issues related to mental health, which can be challenging given the responsibility and risks associated with working with others at this time.

4. The benefits that come from collaborating on an endeavour like this.

In the meantime, we have shared the project goals as well as several of the key organizations and individuals that were critical to driving forward the success of this project. We will also share more about each of their contributions in the coming days and weeks.

Project Goals:

1. To respond to a Call to Action and provide needed PPE to our incredible frontline workers within Island Health. We are grateful for the risks that these individuals take everyday to help keep all of us healthy.

2. To provide a boost to our local economy by providing meaningful, well-paid work for locals. 

3. To show solidarity between government, small business and individuals against COVID-19, and to show that our small communities can play an important part in the solution. We are not helpless against this disease.

This project was a collaborative effort between individuals, small businesses, organizations and government. In particular, the following individuals played pivotal roles in helping with the initiation, coordination and execution of this project:

• Cris Fletcher - President of G2 CNC in Campbell River

• Rick Segal - CEO at Poseidon Ocean Systems Ltd in Campbell River

• Danielle and Andreas Hagen - Study Build on Quadra Island

• Sam and Andrea Whittingham

• Diana and Rob McKerracher

• John and Bev Barkley

• David Baar and Dee Brink

• Dr. Sameen Ahmed

• Dr. Natasha Rafo

The following organizations played critical roles in supporting the project:

• Island Health - In particular, Martthew Miller and Martin Poulin

• The Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG)

• The City of Campbell River - In particular, Rose Klukas and her team in Economic Development.

• The Strathcona Regional District - In particular, Aniko Nelson and Shaun Koopman

• The Quadra Island Quilters - for making us beautiful masks.

  • Bev Barkley

  • Ellen Russell

  • Joan Varley

  • Mary Melnechencko

  • Emma Chandler

  • Diana McKerracher

  • Fay Bullock

• The following Quadra Island businesses who provided safely prepared food for our assembly team:

  • Heidi from Java Bay for providing coffee and fresh baking.

  • Dan and Carly from Kameleon Cafe, for providing incredible boxed lunches

  • Dave and Marie from Cafe Aroma for coffee and snacks.

  • Lois, Christi and Brian from the Heriot Bay Inn (HBI) for providing boxed lunches.

  • Darryl and his team at The Clove Pizza for providing pizza for a socially distant celebration outside at the end of assembly.