Disaster hits close to home

Roman Heuft was more than 5,000 kilometres/3,100 miles away when his community, Blind Bay, British Columbia, received a wildfire evacuation order last August.

“[The news] was pretty devastating,” said Heuft, who was serving as coordinator to Mennonite Disaster Service’s (MDS) Hurricane Fiona response in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, at the time.

Heuft, a seasoned MDS volunteer, packs go-bags with his wife Charlene Heuft every year, in preparation for wildfire season on British Columbia’s mainland. But this was the first time they had been under an evacuation order.

Roman flew home the day after receiving the news and met up with Charlene, who had already reached Kamloops, British Columbia, with their bags and dog, Mocha, in tow. Locals extinguished spot fires in Blind Bay and, while the evacuation order was lifted, Roman and Charlene opted to drive their camper to Calgary, Alberta, to escape poor air quality at home.

Heuft was on his way back to Cape Breton a few days later to see MDS’ Hurricane Fiona response to completion. After that intensive six-month response ended, he returned home to rest. But it wasn’t long before he started thinking about his neighbours across Shuswap Lake, where the Bush Creek East Wildfire had devastated a handful of communities.

Roman Heuft (left) discusses siding, roofing and paint colours with Ted Edbom, a wildfire survivor in Scotch Creek, British Columbia. MDS photo/Nikki Hamm Gwala

A month after his return, he dropped off MDS brochures at a thrift store in Scotch Creek, British Columbia, to explore an organizational response. Heuft received a call within 24 hours. The brochure handout led MDS to partner with the North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society and North Shuswap Christian Fellowship — and commit to four house builds in 2024.

For Heuft — with five past MDS volunteer experiences under his belt — the Shuswap response has been unique. He had shared about MDS with neighbours and friends before, but the organization came to life for them when volunteers showed up to help, so close to home.

In response, friends of Heuft’s have offered their personal resources in cabinetry and wiring, and the North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society has contributed funds to cover significant operational expenses.

“I am very grateful,” reflected Heuft, for whom so many pieces came together in this response: MDS family, his local community, faith in action and a leadership role that keeps him on his toes.

Nikki Hamm Gwala, MDS Canada Communications