Information Update: City Supports Slave Lake Emergency Relief

May 16, 2011

About 195 residents of the Slave Lake area are being sheltered at a temporary reception area set up in the Edmonton EXPO Centre at Northlands, following the devastating wildfires that swept across the Northern Alberta area.

The City of Edmonton’s Disaster Social Services is operating the centre in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

“The City of Edmonton plans regularly for emergencies such as this one,” said Dean Treichel, spokesperson for the City's Disaster Social Services in an afternoon update to media. “As a result of our preparations, and together with our partners, we were well prepared to support the Slave Lake evacuees.”

Providing support services at the Edmonton site, such as food, clothing, toiletries and blankets medical aid, and counseling services are approximately 50 employees from the City and partner organizations such as Alberta Health Services, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Northlands.

The Edmonton Humane Society has set up an emergency animal evacuation centre, currently housing 20 animals from the Slave Lake area.

The Edmonton site is prepared to accommodate 350 evacuees in its current layout. The Province of Alberta is coordinating the effort to combat the wildfires and the emergency evacuation effort. Residents who evacuated the area are also located in reception centres in Athabasca and Westlock.

Individuals who wish to provide assistance are asked to contribute by calling Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111 or donations can be made at the Emergency Relief Services at 10255-104 Street.

More than 50 City firefighters and four fire trucks are in the Slave Lake area to help tackle the fires. Deputy Fire Chief John Lamb emphasized that Edmontonians can be assured that Fire Rescue has the necessary resources on hand to deliver a high level of service should an emergency happen in the Edmonton.

Contact numbers:

• Wildfire situation: Call toll-free 310-4455 to access current information about the situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, phone numbers, and what websites to visit for more information.
• Displaced residents are encouraged to call the Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau 1-800-565-4483 to register their information.
• Finding evacuees: People who are trying to locate individuals who have been evacuated can call the Red Cross toll-free number 1-800-565-4483. Red Cross can only provide info on people who have registered.
• Medical patients: Any family members who are looking for information on where medical patients were moved can call Alberta Health Services at 1-866-301-2668.
  

For more information:

Online	Contact 311 Online

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY	780-944-5555
Email	311@edmonton.ca