RedR Canada Operations Launched

Canadian engineers could soon be traveling to disaster sites around the world to volunteer their engineering expertise and technical know-how, through the work of RedR Canada. The operations of this new organization were officially launched in December in Ottawa.

RedR Canada, whose establishment was initiated by ACEC, puts trained engineers in the field to help people, communities and countries overcome manmade and natural disasters. RedR engineers work to restore drinking water purification and waste treatment systems, power grids, transportation and communications links, and housing at disaster sites. Whatever it takes to create a safe, healthy environment for survivors and help them reestablish their lives.

“This is an important day for Canada’s engineers,” said Dave Chalcroft, P.Eng., Chair of RedR Canada and former ACEC Chair. “RedR Canada opens a new door for us to make a tangible and real difference in the lives of disaster victims. Engineering is all about enhancing the quality of life, health and safety of people, and so is RedR Canada. It’s an opportunity to give something back to our profession and our world.”

RedR (Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief) is an international federation of organizations created to help reduce loss of life and suffering in disaster areas by selecting, training and providing engineers and other personnel to humanitarian agencies for short- and long-term emergency disaster relief assignments around the world. RedR Canada’s four founding organizations are: ACEC, the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. The Executive Director of RedR Canada is Kirk Thompson, P.Eng., and he may be reached at (613) 232-9999 or kthompson@redr.ca.