Awards Winners 2025 - Sharon Sa

2025 Awards of Excellence Winners

Student Award and Scholarship Winner - Sharon Sa

The Student Award and Scholarship recognizes a post-secondary student who, in the past year, has presented an exceptional project or scholarly work—such as an academic paper, report, or presentation—that is relevant to and adds value to the business continuity, disaster recovery, or emergency management industries.

Sharon Sa

Simon Fraser University

I’m incredibly honored by this recognition because it elucidates an often-overlooked discussion between climate change and health. Wildfire smoke is an undeniable, urgent reminder of why we must adopt policies that break down silos and centre the needs of those most vulnerable.

Executive Summary of Scholarly Work

This capstone project investigates the social and policy dimensions of wildfire smoke adaptation in British Columbia, with a focus on how income shapes individual capacity to respond to smoke exposure. As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, smoke has become one of the most pressing public health risks in the province. Yet despite its widespread impacts, protective measures remain unevenly implemented and often inaccessible to those who need them most. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent to which socio-economic status affects adaptive behaviour and access to clean air, and to assess which policy approaches could improve outcomes for structurally marginalized communities. The project begins from the understanding that wildfire smoke is not experienced equally. Lower-income residents, renters, people with chronic illness, and unhoused populations often face greater barriers to reducing exposure. While public health agencies advise people to stay indoors or use air filtration during smoke events, many individuals do not have access to these protective options. Poor-quality housing, lack of air conditioning, precarious work, and limited mobility all contribute to higher health risks. Despite this, adaptation has largely been treated as an individual responsibility rather than a systemic issue requiring coordinated intervention. To investigate the issue, the project draws on qualitative data and public policy analysis. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with subject matter experts across government, public health, academia, and non-profit organizations. Participants shared insights on current practices, institutional barriers, and opportunities for more equitable adaptation policy. Interviews were coded thematically to identify key gaps and contradictions in the existing system. Findings reveal three core challenges. First, experts perceived income and education as the strongest indicators shaping adaptation capacity. Higher-income households may purchase air purifiers, work remotely, or temporarily relocate. Renters, particularly in older buildings, may lack control over ventilation. Several policymakers also shared concerns of low public awareness as a barrier, noting that many residents, regardless of income, underestimate the health risks of smoke or lack clear guidance on how to respond effectively. Second, adaptation efforts are inconsistently coordinated across levels of government. Local governments and health authorities are primarily responsible for public communication and clean air shelter provision, but funding remains uneven. Larger municipalities may have capacity to respond, while smaller or rural communities often lack staff and resources. Without clear provincial direction or sustained funding, many communities are left to develop their own strategies. This increases pressure on smaller local governments and community organizations, who often step in to support vulnerable residents but lack long-term support to continue doing so. Third, current public health messaging does not adequately account for the realities of those most at risk. Generic advisories to stay indoors or limit activity fail to consider people in unsafe housing, those who work outdoors, or individuals without access to health care. As one public health expert noted, when messaging does not reflect people’s lived experiences, it loses credibility and effectiveness. This highlights the need for more targeted, culturally appropriate communication and stronger alignment between messaging and material support. In response to these findings, the project evaluates three policy options. Option One considers the status quo. Option Two directs provincial funding toward clean air infrastructure, such as air purifier subsidies, HVAC retrofits, and community shelter improvements. Option Three supports community-led adaptation through partnerships with local organizations. These options were assessed using a multi-criteria analysis framework, with five evaluation criteria: effectiveness, equity, cost, political feasibility, and administrative feasibility. The analysis supports a hybrid policy approach that combines structural investment with community-led implementation. Structural funding can address systemic barriers by improving ventilation in public buildings, subsidizing in-home air purifiers, and ensuring that clean air shelters are available in every region. At the same time, community-based organizations are well positioned to build trust, tailor outreach, and reach residents who are often left out of top-down strategies. Supporting both tracks acknowledges the need for coordinated government leadership and grassroots responsiveness. The broader implications of this research extend beyond wildfire smoke. As climate impacts accelerate, so do the inequities they expose and intensify. Questions of who adapts, with what resources, and under what conditions are central to emergency governance. This project underscores the importance of embedding equity and lived experience into emergency management planning. It also highlights the need for provincial leadership to move beyond messaging and provide meaningful, ongoing support for adaptation at the community level. Policy decisions made today will shape who is protected in the seasons to come. A more equitable approach to adaptation is not only possible but essential.

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