It would be an understatement to say the battle against The Beast, as the Fort McMurray wildfire became known, required a lot of people and effort.
That community was evacuated May 3 as the wildfire swept through, and countless first responders, administrators and civilians did what they could to offer their support.
On Monday the support from first-responder organizations was recognized and honoured at an awards ceremony in Edmonton, where provincial government officials handed out plaques recognizing the different organizations that contributed to the firefighting and evacuation efforts.
St. Albert’s support was not recognized specifically, but rather through a plaque given to the Alberta Emergency Management Association, through which St. Albert’s first responders and administrators made their contributions.
Fire Chief Ray Richards said although this kind of work is part and parcel of what staff sign on for, the recognition is always appreciated.
“Since the event in May there have been numerous congratulatory statements and good gestures made to the department,” he said. “Our staff are always pleased when that recognition is made, either locally or in this case from the province.”
And the contribution from St. Albert was significant. More than three quarters of the city’s front-line firefighters spent time battling the blaze, rotating in on two-day shifts.
“Some of them were up there deployed two or three times,” Richards said. “Typically it was 12 (hours) on 12 off, so they could get some rest, because the conditions were pretty severe.”
In total, front-line firefighters spent 8,000 staff hours fighting the wildfire, while administration staff spent another 1,000 working in both the regional and provincial operation centres.
Two pieces of equipment – and aerial pumper and a water tanker – were part of this city’s contribution as well.
Premier Rachel Notley said the province-wide response to the disaster exemplifies the very best character traits we have in this province.
“While the disasters changed the lives of tens of thousands of people, it did not destroy the strength and courage of Albertans,” she said.
Meanwhile Wildrose Opposition Leader Brian Jean, who lost his own Fort McMurray home to the blaze, was visibly emotional as he thanked “many thousands of Albertan heroes who stepped up to help when my town was burning.”
“They did not do it for accolades, or fame, or money,” he said. “They did it because they’re Albertans and that’s what we do as Albertans.”
But despite the high praise, Richards emphasized local crews supported similar firefighting efforts in Slave Lake in 2012, and would have no qualms about dropping everything to do it all again.
“There would be no hesitation,” he said. “When we got word on that first day that we might be needed, I think we did a turnaround and got that first crew up there within about four hours. That’s the kind of response you would expect from any response service in the province. It’s just become our lives, and normal.”
