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The article discusses the revised International Health Regulations, a principle document governing the response to public health emergencies which has been approved by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Assembly, on June 15, 2007. The article describes how the new regulations provide guidance to member states on preparing and responding to public health emergencies. It also explains how the international health emergencies are to be identified and managed, discusses several challenges to compliance with the regulations as well as mentions Canada's role in helping to ensure successful implementation of the regulation.

Presents the personal experiences of a Canadian physician who was on call the weekend of January 9, 1998 through the `ice storm of the century.' The resulting complications including unsafe roads; Towns without electricity; The fragile hospital power supply; The closing of all major highways and bridges leading to the hospital; The sense of cooperation and common purpose.

The article focuses on unpreparedness of health facilities for disasters in Canada. It mentions that evidence-based assessment of disaster preparedness at health facilities in Canada, and hospitals can be accredited without in-depth readiness. It also mentions that some newer hospitals have decontamination facilities in emergency departments and some hospitals have only safe option for staff confronted with a contaminated patient is to wait until a hazmat team arrives.

The article discusses the improvement of Canada's response to health emergencies and disasters. It mentions the statement of Dr. Daniel Kollek from the McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario that the nation has significant opportunity for disaster and emergency response to be better. It discusses the bettered capability of the health sector in Canada after the occurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, wherein the nation has the chance to assess its emergency preparedness to the possible global outbreak of A(H1N1) swine flu. However, the national health care planning in Canada was obstructed by the reality that health care is a provincial responsibility which challenges the nation's intergovernmental cooperation.

In this article the author reflects on the disaster prevention and emergency management for avalanche victims in Canada and United States. It notes that preventative measures and care recommendations should focus more on trauma management for the victims and that on-site management of victims needs reform. The study by Boyd and colleagues on avalanche-caused deaths in British Columbia and Alberta showed high rate of trauma mortality and identified that chest and head are common trauma sites.

Discusses how Winchester District Memorial Hospital, Ontario, handled the January, 1998 ice storm which crippled most of Eastern Canada. Views of hospital executive Joseline Sikorski; Details about hospital; How crisis could have been worse; Incidence of post-traumatic stress syndrome; Common storm-related injuries; Hospital staff supporting each other; Hospital's emergency strategy.

The article offers information on the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which is reportedly inadequate in managing public health emergencies including pandemics, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks according to the agency's internal audit services division.

States that an unpublished report indicates how the public health infrastructure in Canada might be overwhelmed if it faces more than one major public health crisis at once. How this journal obtained a copy of the report; Excerpts from the 65-page report, which was prepared for the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health; Idea that the conclusions were based on 38 interviews, online and mailed surveys completed by 260 respondents, and 15 conference calls.

Discusses how the Swissair disaster in Novia Scotia taught medical examiners a lesson in logistical challenges. Difficulties faced by Linda Mosher, the administrative officer of Nova Scotia's chief medical examiner; Details on the organization of duties and services needed to handle the airplane crash.