Sometimes ordinary people can make a big difference when responding to disasters that draw the world's attention.
That's the conclusion Suzanne Bernier draws in her book Disaster Heroes, which tells 10 stories about ordinary people who helped rebuild their communities and save lives when faced with great challenges.
“There are thousands of amazing stories that the public never gets to hear,” said Bernier.
After nearly 20 years as a crisis management consultant Bernier has gotten to hear many stories of people responding to disasters, ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the 1998 “Ice Storm of the Century” in Eastern Canada.
Bernier, who started her career as a radio reporter in Sudbury, will be at Cambrian College on Wednesday evening with one of the disaster heroes she profiles in her book.
Brandon Fisher, the president and CEO of American mining supply company Center Rock, will join Bernier at the eDome stage, where he will talk about his role in the famous rescue of 33 Chilean miners in 2010.
“The only reason those 33 men are alive today, is because of that gentleman Brandon Fisher, from America,” Bernier said.
After the Chilean government's initial attempts to rescue the miners failed, Fisher, who had watched the drama play out on the news, decided to volunteer his services.
His company designed a drill he said could reach the miners in half the time of any other solution.
And he succeeded.
Thirty-three miners at a mine in Copiapó, Chile, were trapped underground from Aug. 5, 2010, until Oct. 13, 2010, when they were all brought safety to surface thanks, in part, to Fisher's drill.
Bernier holds Fisher, and those like him, in high esteem.
“In my opinion, our children should be looking up to these people,” she said.
The free talk starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Registration for the eDome is now full, but Cambrian has made space available in the Cambrian amphitheatre where it will livestream the event.
Bernier will have copies of Disaster Heroes available for sale.
