Updates on the 2024 Wildfire Response.
May 22, 2024
- Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working to resume regular healthcare services, and is in the planning process to repatriate acute care patients and continuing care residents to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC), Willow Square Continuing Care Centre and Fort McMurray Recovery Centre.
- This work is being done in response to the evacuation order and evacuation alert for Fort McMurray being lifted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, effective at 10 a.m., May 18. Visit Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for more information.
- NLRHC and Willow Square remain open and emergency services continue to be available. Care continues to be provided to patients and residents. Public Health, Allied Health and Home Care services also remain available. ICU services have resumed routine operations.
- Today, NLRHC will be resuming elective and routine services (ambulatory/OR).
- Approximately 36 elective surgeries were temporarily postponed May 14-17 to support hospital capacity in response to wildfire activity and mandatory evacuation orders.
- A number of ambulatory services (endoscopy, exercise stress tests, and orthopedic, etc) were also postponed.
- Affected patients will be notified and rescheduled.
- The Fort McMurray Recovery Centre remains closed in response to the evacuation order. Planning is underway for the reopening of the facility later this week.
- Between May 14-17, 76 acute care patients from NLRHC were safely relocated or discharged home; 59 residents of Willow Square Continuing Care Centre were relocated or discharged home; and 14 residents of Fort McMurray Recovery Centre were relocated or discharged home. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution due to wildfire activity in the area.
- As evacuation orders for Fort McMurray have now been lifted, we understand these residents, patients and clients are eager to return home.
- Their care and safety remains our top priority. We are currently preparing to ensure everything is in place for their seamless and safe return.
- Repatriations have started for some acute care patients. Additional repatriation planning is underway for continuing care residents.
- It is important to consider the impact of these moves on any vulnerable population.
- We also recognize the wildfire situation in the Fort McMurray area is still very volatile and all repatriation plans will be fluid to adapt to any changes in the wildfire and weather.
- Our priority is to return patients, residents and clients home as quickly and safely as possible, but it will take time depending on each individual’s care needs and modes of transportation.
- The repatriation plan is a large and multi-level endeavor that involves co-ordination between our Fort McMurray sites, air ambulance, local EMS, as well as EMS and the sites to which our patients and residents were relocated.
- Residents, patients, clients and families, as well as the health facilities where they have been relocated to will be notified when arrangements are in place for their safe return. To ensure their comfort and safety, they will continue to be cared for in these health facilities.
- Families of the evacuees are encouraged to reach out to the facility where they were placed, and to maintain contact with their loved ones.
- Families of residents can call Willow Square with any questions at 587-536-2400 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-.4 p.m. They can also call the Continuing Care Access Line toll free at 1-855-371-4122 Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday and Statutory holidays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for questions or for more information.
- We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward having everyone returned home safely and with as little stress and disruption as possible.
- AHS continues monitoring the wildfire situation. Our teams continue working closely with Alberta Wildfire and the RMWB.
- The wildfire situation can be fluid and change at any given time. Our teams have comprehensive response plans in place should the situation change.
May 17, 2024
- Fort McMurray’s Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC) and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre remain open. Emergency services remain available, and care continues to be provided to patients and residents. To ensure the safety of all patients and staff, the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre is temporarily closed due to wildfire activity in the area.
- On May 14, AHS - with support from EMS teams - began the process of relocating some patients and residents with higher care needs from Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, Willow Square Continuing Care, and Fort McMurray Recovery Centre to healthcare facilities in other parts of the province. This has continued through the week.
- As of 10 a.m. on May 17, 60 patients from NLRHC have been relocated or discharged home; 57 residents of Willow Square Continuing Care Centre have been relocated or discharged home; and 14 residents of Fort McMurray Recovery Centre have been relocated or discharged home.
- This decision was made out of an abundance of caution. The care and safety of our patients and residents remains our top priority.
- AHS is working directly with these patients, residents and their loved ones to ensure they have the supports they need and families are aware of where their loved one will be placed. Contact information will be shared with loved ones once the patients and residents are at the Edmonton care facilities.
- These residents will continue to receive care and support in appropriate facilities. AHS will return patients and residents back to NLRHC and Willow Square when deemed safe and appropriate.
- We are aware of the impact of these moves can have on any vulnerable population, especially our long-term care residents. The uncertainty of the wildfires, and the resulting moves can place new stress on residents, and we encourage them and their families to reach out to their care providers if there is anything AHS can do to support their physical and emotional well-being.
- These patients and residents will continue to receive care and support in appropriate facilities. AHS will return patients and residents back to NLRHC and Willow Square when deemed safe and appropriate to minimize the need to move individuals more than once.
- The AHS EMS multi-patient vehicle is in Fort McMurray to assist with patient moves, and AHS has also secured several buses to be ready should a larger scale evacuation be needed.
- To prepare for a potential large-scale evacuation, AHS is continually monitoring the numbers of patients at NLRHC, including those in the Emergency Department, and ensuring that medications, mobility aids and transportation needs are addressed.
- Albertans evacuated from Fort McMurray who need healthcare will be able to access it elsewhere in the province. AHS is working with evacuated clients, including those requiring home care or dialysis, to ensure they continue to receive the care they need.
- We know that wildfires are a very challenging situation for everyone, and we want people to know that we are here to help and support them. AHS provides wildfire resources for Albertans at Wildfire Resources, including mental health, air quality, and emergency planning links. Both the RMWB and Alberta Wildfire are posting regular wildfire updates.
- If people are experiencing emotional distress, or are concerned about the emotional well-being of others, please contact the Mental Health Help Line toll-free at 1-877-303-2642 or Health Link at 811.
- Indigenous Peoples also have a dedicated support line to help them navigate the health system or access culturally appropriate care. The toll-free Indigenous Support Line can be reached by calling 1-844-944-4744.
Cancer Care
- If Cancer Care patients need to evacuate and have an upcoming Cancer Care appointment, we ask that they call AHS’ Cancer Care Contact Centre (Transition Team) at 1-888-432-8865. They will help patients organize upcoming appointments and treatments.
May 16, 2024
Fort McMurray Addiction & Mental Health Services
- Community Addiction and Mental Health services continue to be available in Fort McMurray at Wood Buffalo Addiction and Mental Health Services (339 Powder Drive).
- Walk-in intake and single session counselling services are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Regularly scheduled appointments for community and mental health services also continue to be available with regular hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. remaining in place.
- Northern Lights Regional Health Centre Crisis Response Team remains available to provide assessments, brief intervention, referrals, and connections to Alberta Health Services and community supports programs to clients and families who visit the emergency department or are admitted to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
- The Fort McMurray PACT team also remains available in the community. PACT is a crisis response team that is comprised of an RCMP officer and a nurse who are able to intervene, assess, and support people having a mental health crisis in the community.
Telephone Support Services
- Health Link: Call 811. Health Link provides health information and advice from registered nurses 24/7.
- Mental Health Help Line: Call 1-877-303-2642. The 24/7 Mental Health Help Line provides crisis intervention, information about mental health programs and services and referrals to other agencies if needed.
- Addiction Helpline: Call 1- 866-332-2322. The 24/7 Addiction Helpline is a toll-free confidential service which provides alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and problem gambling support, information and referral to services.
- AHS Indigenous Support Line: 1-844-944-4744 from noon to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday. This confidential telephone service helps First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis and Inuit peoples and their families navigate the healthcare system. By providing culturally safe supportive listening, connections to health resources, Indigenous cultural supports, and help with addiction / mental health concerns.
Other Helpful Resources
Service Disruption Due to Wildfire
- The Fort McMurray Recovery Centre has been closed as it is in the evacuation order area. Patients have either self-discharged or been transferred to other residential treatment facilities in the province.
May 15, 2024
- AHS continues to monitor wildfire activity in collaboration with our partners, including the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Alberta Wildfire
- Fort McMurray’s Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC) and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre remain open. Emergency services remain available and care continues to be provided to patients and residents.
- On May 14, AHS, with support from EMS teams, began the process of relocating some patients and residents with higher care needs from NLRHC, Willow Square Continuing Care, and Fort McMurray Recovery Centre to healthcare facilities in other parts of the province. Thirty-five residents and patients have been moved thus far.
- This decision was made out of an abundance of caution. The care and safety of our patients and residents remains our top priority.
- AHS is working directly with these patients, residents and their loved ones to ensure they have the supports they need and families are aware of where their loved one will be placed. Contact information will be shared with loved ones once the patients and residents are at the Edmonton care facilities.
- These residents will continue to receive care and support in appropriate facilities. AHS will return patients and residents back to NLRHC and Willow Square when deemed safe and appropriate.
- We are aware of the impact of these moves can have on any vulnerable population, especially our long-term care residents. The uncertainty of the wildfires, and the resulting moves can place new stress on residents, and we encourage them and their families to reach out to their care providers if there is anything AHS can do to support their physical and emotional well-being.
- These patients and residents will continue to receive care and support in appropriate facilities. AHS will return patients and residents back to NLRHC and Willow Square when deemed safe and appropriate to minimize the need to move individuals more than once.
- The AHS EMS multi-patient vehicle is in Fort McMurray to assist with patient moves, and AHS has also secured several buses to be ready should a larger scale evacuation be needed.
- To prepare for a potential large scale evacuation, AHS is continually monitoring the numbers of patients at NLRHC, including those in the Emergency Department, and ensuring that medications, mobility aids and transportation needs are addressed.
- As of 3:30 p.m. on May 14, AHS safely relocated staff and clients from the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre in response to an evacuation order issued due to the current wildfire risk. The facility will remain closed until it is safe to reopen.
- To ensure the safety of all patients and staff, the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre is temporarily closed due to wildfire activity in the area.
- Albertans evacuated from Fort McMurray who need healthcare will be able to access it elsewhere in the province. AHS is working with evacuated clients, including those requiring home care or dialysis, to ensure they continue to receive the care they need.
- We know that wildfires are a very challenging situation for everyone, and we want people to know that we are here to help and support them. AHS provides wildfire resources for Albertans at Wildfire Resources, including mental health, air quality, and emergency planning links. Both the RMWB and Alberta Wildfire are posting regular wildfire updates.
- If people are experiencing emotional distress, or are concerned about the emotional well-being of others, please contact the Mental Health Help Line toll-free at 1-877-303-2642 or Health Link at 811.
- Indigenous Peoples also have a dedicated support line to help them navigate the health system or access culturally appropriate care. The toll-free Indigenous Support Line can be reached by calling 1-844-944-4744.
Cancer Care
- If Cancer Care patients need to evacuate and have an upcoming Cancer Care appointment, we ask that they call AHS’ Cancer Care Contact Centre (Transition Team) at 1-888-432-8865. They will help patients organize upcoming appointments and treatments.
Emergency Response Planning
- Proactive planning has been ongoing in the event the wildfire situation changes, requiring an evacuation of patients and residents from Northern Lights Regional Health Centre and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre.
- Alberta Health Services Emergency Disaster Management (AHS EDM) team communicates with local and provincial wildfire teams and is responsive to Alberta’s wildfire situation.
- Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) response plans are in place across AHS to ensure the organization is prepared to effectively respond to any emergency or disaster, including wildfires.
- These plans support staff, physician, resident and patient safety, ensure continuous patient care, and minimize any potential negative health effects (physical and psychological) during any emergency or disaster.
