Jen McEachen
Owner of JLM Disaster Resiliency and Accessibility Consulting
Currently, I work part-time as the “Coordinator, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging” at the Canadian Red Cross. Previously, for approximately 13+ years combined volunteer and staff, worked in Human Resources/Volunteer Resources (HR/VR). I did a brief stint as a PDA (Personal Disaster Assistant) volunteer in the disaster/emergency management department before being hired as staff in 2016. I graduated with a certificate in Emergency Management through the Justice Institute of BC in 2019 and presently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Security Management through the same post-secondary institution.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had renewed interest in getting back into the deaf, blind and deafblind community with an emphasis on Emergency Management and Accessibility. As a person with lived experience and passion to educate others, starting a consulting business with my interest seemed like a good fit. While conducting research, I discovered there are limited resources geared specifically to this population. In the last year, on a voluntary basis, I have presented to a few groups that serve the deafblind population on emergency preparedness. The gaps in services in disaster preparedness and resiliency for people who are deaf, blind or deafblind is astounding.
In my spare time I enjoy participating in Toastmasters, socializing with friends, attending car races during the summer months, 5-pin bowling, watching curling and hockey on TV, listening to podcasts and Youtube videos, watching Netflix/Disney+/Amazon/Apple TV, and reading autobiographical or true crime/mystery novels.
Parmesan McEachen
The Furry Assistant
My job is a serious one. Mom needs me to help her at times as she can’t see very well. I am a cream-coloured yellow Labrador with the most soft, velvety ears. My shining, outgoing personality attracts people to come over to say hello to me during my “off” duty moments. I enjoy chewing on Nylabones, sleeping on my bed in front of the heater, and bringing a smile to everyone’s faces when I happily romp through freshly fallen snow.
I respectfully acknowledge the unceded ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh, on whose land I live, work and play. Prince George is situated on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh and their traditional lands cover much of the area from present-day Prince George to the Rocky Mountains.