More St. Albert city staff are heading north to help in Fort McMurray.
A four-person firefighting crew was dispatched on Tuesday night, along with an aerial truck that includes a platform, needed to help with multi-level building fires.
On Wednesday afternoon, the city announced three more city staff would be heading to Fort McMurray that evening. The three staff, Brian Brost, utilities manager, Louise Stewart, operations manager for parks and open spaces, and Tim Stewart, platoon chief, will be assisting at the Emergency Operations Centre.
Stewart and Brost will be assisting with planning and Stewart will act as a staging officer.
The firefighters from St. Albert are being used as structural firefighters, which means they are fighting fires within the city limits.
“They’re doing good,” Richards said, adding the St. Albert crew is being well looked after when they’re not fighting fires.
He also said the service level in St. Albert will not be impacted by the dispatch to Fort McMurray.
The Provincial Operation Centre is co-ordinating resource requests and has been provided with a list of what St. Albert has to offer. The needs are shifting on an hour to hour basis, he said.
St. Albert could continue to offer assistance in the weeks to come, Richards said.
“Looks like we’re going to be there for awhile,” Richards said. Whether or not more St. Albert employees will be sent is unknown at this time.
St. Albert is playing host to some evacuees. St. Albert Inn and Suites general manager Michael Mazepa confirmed there are a number of evacuees staying at the local hotel.
Four medical patients who were evacuated from the area are now being treated at Sturgeon Community Hospital, said Kerry Williamson of Alberta Health Services.
How to help:
Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Emergency Appeal: make a $5 donation (through your phone bill) by texting the word ‘REDCROSS’ to 30333 or visit http://ow.ly/4nqUGb to donate another amount.
Fort McMurray Fire Accommodation Help: Albertans who are able to open their homes, rental or other properties or spaces can connect with evacuees in need of somewhere to stay through www.YMMFire.ca.
Edmonton Emergency Relief Services: this relief agency is calling for volunteers and donations of diapers, baby wipes, new toiletries and personal hygiene products, and new socks and underwear. Please take your donations to its office at 10255 104 St. If you would like to volunteer, please call 780-428-4422. All larger-scale offers of goods or services can be made to the Human Services Director in the Emergency Operations Centre at 780-944-6408 or via email at [email protected].
Fort McMurray Disaster Relief: disaster aid (such as accommodations, RV hookups, etc.) for evacuees of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo. Visit ‘Ft. McMurray Disaster Relief’ on Facebook. The social media site also has ‘Fort McMurray evac relocation help group’ and ‘Fort Mac Fire Donations’ groups.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Emergency Social Services: you can volunteer to help by visiting www.betterimpact.com/Application.
There is also a bin near the St. Albert Centre Food Court for anyone wanting to add their donations. Cash and Gift Card donations can be made at the mall's administration office (also near the food court). Special parking arrangements are being made at the mall for displaced families who are seeking somewhere to park their RVs and camping trailers. Please contact St. Albert Centre if you know of a family in need of parking.
Schools and other groups throughout the city are involved in various fundraisers to help support the Red Cross campaign, including a Freezies for Fort McMurray fundraiser at W.D. Cuts School on Friday, May 6 and May 13.
Other help options will be included later.
