Fort McMurray Physicians and Staff Updates

Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to respond to all facets of the Fort McMurray wildfire, led by the outstanding efforts of our physicians, staff and leadership in the North.

We appreciate your desire for information, about plans for the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, about how we are preparing for the re-entry of residents; about redeployment of our own North Zone staff, and about the current response to health care needs in the city.

It is important to remember that this situation remains extremely fluid – things can change quickly and significantly in a matter of minutes and hours.

We will attempt to provide you with the most up-to-date information as we can as we move closer to re-entry of residents and re-deployment of staff.

There is also information for staff provided in this FAQ.

Update #12: June 6, 2016 - 4 p.m.

Fort McMurray fire:

  • Currently about 581,695 hectares and is almost 56 per cent contained. Fire growth has been minimal in the past four days. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.

Health Care Services in Fort McMurray:

  • Several health care services and resources are now available in the city, including the reopening of at least six Family Physician Clinics. As more health care services and resources become available in Fort McMurray, we are updating information here:
    http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/page13198.aspx

Re-entry:

Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

  • Work continues to reopen other areas of the hospital, to ensure it is safe and appropriate for patient care.
  • Food will continue to be provided to all AHS staff and physicians working in Fort McMurray, out of the cafeteria at NLRHC. Snacks and other food are also available at the staff orientation trailer near the Urgent Care Centre.
  • Physicians and staff at the Emergency Department at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre – along with support services including Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services – has seen about 200 patients since it reopened at 8 a.m. on. June 1. They saw 77 patients on Sunday, June 5.
  • By June 13, we anticipate that we will be able to re-open further services, including two ORs including obstetrical service, some ICU capacity, some inpatient beds to support surgical and general medicine, and up to three pediatric beds.
  • It is anticipated that the majority of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will be operational by June 21.
  • That will not include long term care - we will assess and determine a return plan for each LTC resident on an individual basis in collaboration with the resident and the resident’s family.
  • Restoration work also continues on other AHS sites, including the Thickwood Medical Centre, the Thickwood Public Health Centre and the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre. We do not yet have any definitive timelines on when those facilities may reopen.
  • Those with questions about patient belongings left behind during the evacuation of the NLRHC can call AHS Patient Relations at 1-855-550-2555.

Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

  • From at least June 1- 7, the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, located outside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, will continue to provide the same level of care that it has provided since it opened May 12 (basic health services with emergent and urgent care).
  • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray.
  • As of this morning, almost 600 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
  • Six ATCO trailers are now operational adjacent to the FMUCC. Allied Health, Ambulatory Care and Addictions and Mental Health are operating out of the trailers.
  • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters.

Returning to work:

  • We have posted an updated FAQ for Fort McMurray physicians and staff. You can find that here:
    http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/news/ev/ne-pha-wildfire-returning-employee-faq.pdf
  • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
  • This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
  • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
  • Staff returning to Fort McMurray should plan for travel delays and give themselves plenty of time to return to the community.

Staffing/deployment:

  • A new travel and accommodation process for staff and contractors travelling to Fort McMurray has been developed to streamline travel and accommodation logistics. For more, go here:
    http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/news/ev/ne-ev-wildfire-fmm-travel-accommodation-approval-process.pdf
  • A new Orientation & Information Center for all staff and physicians being deployed to Fort McMurray is now open in the parking lot of the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre. Check-in, Fit testing (if required) and an AHS orientation will be provided for all incoming staff and physicians when they arrive at the centre.
    Resources at the centre are also available to assist staff with any questions or issues that may arise during their deployment in Fort McMurray.
  • We are still seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
  • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers, Surgical Reprocessors for MDR.
  • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
  • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
  • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following:
    • Receive approval from your manager.
    • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
    • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
  • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

Mental Health:

  • More than 100 Mental Health workers – including a service dog - are now in Fort McMurray, and are providing psycho-social support to anyone who needs it.
  • Mental Health services are available at an ATCO trailer adjacent to the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre.
  • Addiction and Mental Health staff are also available at the Welcome Centres set up in Fort McMurray.

Public Health:

EMS:

  • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
  • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
  • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

Update #11: June 3, 2016 - 5:45 p.m.

Fort McMurray fire:

  • Currently about 581,695 hectares and is almost 56 per cent contained. Fire growth has been minimal in the past 24 hours. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.

Re-entry:

  • The first two phases of re-entry are complete, with residents returning to Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, and Gregoire Lake Estates (on June 1), Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickinsfield (on June 2); and Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates today (June 3).
  • The phased re-entry will continue as follows:
    • June 4 – Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper.
  • Approximately 500 undamaged homes in Waterways, Abasand and Beacon Hill cannot be reoccupied yet due to health concerns.
  • For information on health care services available in the community, go here:
  • For more information related to public re-entry, go here:
  • Resources and tools for people preparing to return to their homes can be found here:

Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

  • The Emergency Department at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre – along with support services including Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services – has seen about 52 patients since it reopened at 8 a.m. on. June 1.
  • You can read an Edmonton Journal story about the NLRHC here:
  • Significant work continues to restore the rest of the hospital, to ensure it is safe and appropriate for patient care.
  • By June 13, we anticipate that we will be able to re-open further services, including two ORs including obstetrical service, some ICU capacity, some inpatient beds to support surgical and general medicine, and up to three pediatric beds.
  • It is anticipated that the majority of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will be operational by June 21.
  • That will not include long term care - we will assess and determine a return plan for each LTC resident on an individual basis in collaboration with the resident and the resident’s family.
  • Restoration work also continues on other AHS sites, including the Thickwood Medical Centre, the Thickwood Public Health Centre and the Fort McMurray Recovery Centre. We do not yet have any definitive timelines on when those facilities may reopen.
  • The OR that was set up at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre on May 22 has been transferred to a trauma/resuscitation room at NLRHC. The OR is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
  • EMS is now transporting ambulance patients requiring emergency care to the NLRHC ED.
  • NLRHC’s health care services will remain limited despite the reopening of the ED. The hospital will not be equipped to offer full healthcare services, including acute in-patient care, ICU, obstetrics, dialysis, in-patient psychiatry and long-term care.
  • Those with questions about patient belongings left behind during the evacuation of the NLRHC can call AHS Patient Relations at 1-855-550-2555.
  • Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:
  • From at least June 1- 7, the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, located outside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, will continue to provide the same level of care that it has provided since it opened May 12 (basic health services with emergent and urgent care).
  • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray.
  • As of this morning, more than 560 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
  • Six ATCO trailers are now operational adjacent to the FMUCC. Allied Health, Ambulatory Care and Addictions and Mental Health are operating out of the trailers.
  • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters.

Returning to work:

  • We have posted an updated FAQ for Fort McMurray physicians and staff. You can find that here:
  • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
  • This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
  • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
  • Staff returning to Fort McMurray should plan for travel delays and give themselves plenty of time to return to the community.

Staffing/deployment:

  • A new travel and accommodation process for staff and contractors travelling to Fort McMurray has been developed to streamline travel and accommodation logistics. For more, go here:
  • We are still seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
  • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers, Surgical Reprocessors for MDR.
  • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
  • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
  • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following
    • Receive approval from your manager
    • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
    • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
  • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

    Mental Health:

    • More than 100 Mental Health workers – including a service dog - are now in Fort McMurray, and are providing psycho-social support to anyone who needs it.
    • Mental Health services are available at an ATCO trailer adjacent to the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre.
    • Addiction and Mental Health staff are also available at the Welcome Centres set up in Fort McMurray. Yesterday, our teams saw about 270 people wanting support, with 114 one-on-one discussions.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    Public Health:

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #10: June 1, 2016 - 8 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 581,695 hectares and is still classified as out of control. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 18 degrees Celsius today. The temperature is expected to be in the mid-20s for the next few days, with rain forecast for Friday. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s this weekend.

    Re-entry:

    • The first phase of evacuated residents began returning to Fort McMurray this morning. The phased re-entry will continue as follows:
      • June 1 – Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates;
      • June 2 – Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickinsfield;
      • June 3 – Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates;
      • June 4 – Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper.
      • Approximately 500 undamaged homes in Waterways, Abasand and Beacon Hill cannot be reoccupied yet due to health concerns.
    • For information on health care services available in the community, go here:
      • http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/page13198.aspx
    • For more information related to public re-entry, go here:
    • Resources and tools for people preparing to return to their homes can be found here:

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • The Emergency Department at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre – along with support services including Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services – reopened at 8 a.m. this morning.
    • As of 1 .p.m. today, Physicians and staff at the ED had seen 12 patients.
    • This follows significant work by contractors and AHS staff to restore the hospital following the wildfires, to ensure the ED is safe and appropriate for patient care.
    • The OR that was set up at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre on May 22 was today transferred to a trauma/resuscitation room at NLRHC. The OR is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • EMS is now transporting ambulance patients requiring emergency care to the NLRHC ED.
    • NLRHC’s health care services will remain limited despite the reopening of the ED. The hospital will not be equipped to offer full healthcare services, including acute in-patient care, ICU, obstetrics, dialysis, in-patient psychiatry and long-term care.
    • From at least June 1- 7, the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, located outside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, will continue to provide the same level of care that it has provided since it opened May 12 (basic health services with emergent and urgent care).
    • It is anticipated that the majority of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will be operational by June 21.
    • That will not include long term care - we will assess and determine a return plan for each LTC resident on an individual basis in collaboration with the resident and the resident’s family.
    • Crews continue to work 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and restore the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.

    Returning to work:

    • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
    • This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
    • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
    • Staff returning to Fort McMurray should plan for travel delays and give themselves plenty of time to return to the community. There have been delays of up to two hours on the highway into town, and that is expected to increase as the city becomes more accessible.
    • You can find out more here:

    Staffing assistance needed:

    • We are still seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
    • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers.
    • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
    • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
    • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following:
    • Receive approval from your manager.
    • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
    • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
    • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS continues to provide 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray.
    • As of this morning, more than 500 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters as re-entry plans are updated.

    Public Health:

    Mental Health:

    • More than 100 Mental Health workers – including a service dog - are now in Fort McMurray, and are providing psycho-social support to anyone who needs it.
    • Mental Health services are available at an ATCO trailer adjacent to the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #9: May 31, 2016 - 4 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 579,946 hectares, including about 3,200 hectares in Saskatchewan, and is still classified as out of control. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 18 degrees Celsius today. The temperature is expected to be in the mid-20s for the next few days, with no rain in the forecast. Temperatures are expected to be high 20s this weekend.

    Re-entry:

    • A phased re-entry to Fort McMurray is scheduled to begin tomorrow (June 1). The timeline for neighbourhood re-entry is as follows:
      • June 1 – Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates;
      • June 2 – Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickinsfield;
      • June 3 – Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates;
      • June 4 – Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper.
      • Approximately 500 undamaged homes in Waterways, Abasand and Beacon Hill cannot be reoccupied yet due to health concerns.
    • Evacuee Support Centres have been established in Lac La Biche, Wandering River and Spruce Grove, where some evacuees are pre-staging for re-entry.
    • For more information related to public re-entry, go here:
    • The provincial Government has released updated high-resolution images to give residents a clearer idea of which homes have been lost and damaged. You can find those images here:
    • Resources and tools for people preparing to return to their homes can be found here:

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • The Emergency Department at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre – along with support services including Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services - will reopen for patient care at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1.
    • This follows significant work by contractors and AHS staff to restore the hospital following the wildfires, to ensure the ED is safe and appropriate for patient care.
    • EMS will transport ambulance patients requiring emergency care to the NLRHC ED as of this same date and time.
    • Of note, NLRHC’s health care services will remain limited despite the reopening of the ED. The hospital will not be equipped to offer full healthcare services, including acute in-patient care, ICU, obstetrics, dialysis, in-patient psychiatry and long-term care.
    • From at least June 1 – 7, the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, located outside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, will continue to provide the same level of care that it has provided since it opened May 12 (basic health services with emergent and urgent care).
    • You can see an interview with Incident Commander David Matear on the CBC Edmonton Facebook page here:
    • It is anticipated that the majority of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will be operational by June 21.
    • That will not include long term care - we will assess and determine a return plan for each LTC resident on an individual basis in collaboration with the resident and the resident’s family.
    • Crews continue to work 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and restore the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
    • Restoration work underway or complete includes:
      • Potable water is now available at the hospital through a trucked-in supply. The entire flushing of water lines was completed May 26, and flushing will continue until the hospital is returned to AHS;
      • Detail cleaning in OR and endoscopy is underway.
      • The kitchen has been fully cleaned.
      • The removal of non-restorable contents is underway.
      • Dynalife laboratory staff have begun work in their areas.
      • All of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in the ED has been cleaned and are now operating. However, both air intake and building temperature continue to be impacted by variable air quality in the community.
      • Electrical fixtures have been removed from ceiling tile areas in the sub-basement, basement, and main floor. This work has also started on the second and third floors.
      • Air duct cleaning is almost complete throughout the facility.
      • Ceiling tiles have been removed from offices and rooms on the main floor, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging area. The installation of new tiles is complete in ED, Lab, DI and HIM. Installation of new tiles is 90 per cent complete on the basement and sub-basement levels.
      • Detailed cleaning of offices, washrooms and supply rooms leading into the ED is complete.
      • The cooling tower has been cleaned and is now running when air quality permits doing so.

    Returning to work:

    • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
    • This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
    • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
    • Staff returning to Fort McMurray should plan for travel delays and give themselves plenty of time to return to the community. There have been delays of up to two hours on the highway into town, and that is expected to increase as the city becomes more accessible.
    • You can find out more here:

    Staffing assistance needed:

    • We are still seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
    • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers.
    • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
    • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
    • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following:
      • Receive approval from your manager.
      • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
      • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
    • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS continues to provide 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, more than 462 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • Media outlets had stories on the FMUCC last week. You can see two stories here:
      • Global: http://globalnews.ca/news/2722458/fort-mcmurray-residents-will-return-to-community-with-access-to-health-care-thanks-to-unique-facility/
      • CTV: http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=877571
    • An OR became operational on May 22 and is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • Physicians and staff coming to work at the UCC are reminded that they cannot enter Northern Lights Regional Health Centre without direct authorization from the Incident Command Post and Protective Services Command.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters for re-entry plans.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • As of 4 p.m. today, AHS staff are no longer required at the evacuation/reception centres at Mount Royal College and SAIT in Calgary.
    • The City of Edmonton closed the evacuation/reception centre at Northlands last Friday.
    • AHS will continue to support the health needs of evacuees staying at other congregate accommodations, such as Lister Hall in Edmonton, and the University of Calgary.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres has decreased significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands, Concordia University and Lister Hall in Edmonton have been declared over.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services.

    Public Health:

    Mental Health:

    • The roving community wellness team in Fort McMurray provided psycho-social support to about 327 people in a 24-hour period over the weekend. One to one counselling was offered as required. Additional mental health staff have begun work in the city.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #8: May 30, 2016 - 7:30 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 579,946 hectares, including about 3,200 hectares in Saskatchewan, and is still classified as out of control. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 15 degrees Celsius today. The temperature is expected to be in the low to mid 20s for the next few days, with rain and possibly thunderstorms forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

    Re-entry:

    Returning to work:

    • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
    • HR will be calling all Fort McMurray employees on May 30 and 31, letting you know of this date. This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
    • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
    • Staff returning to Fort McMurray should plan for travel delays and give themselves plenty of time to return to the community. There have been delays of up to two hours on the highway into town, and that is expected to increase as the city becomes more accessible.
    • You can find out more here:

    Staffing assistance needed:

    • We are seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
    • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers.
    • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
    • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
    • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following:
      • Receive approval from your manager.
      • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
      • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
    • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

    Public Health:

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS continues to provide 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, more than 400 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • Media outlets had stories on the FMUCC last week. You can see two stories here:
    • An OR became operational on May 22 and is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • Physicians and staff coming to work at the UCC are reminded that they cannot enter Northern Lights Regional Health Centre without direct authorization from the Incident Command Post and Protective Services Command.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • AHS anticipates that the Emergency Department, and support services such as Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging, will reopen to provide patient care on June 1.
    • It is anticipated that the majority of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre will be operational by June 21.
    • That will not include long term care - we will assess and determine a return plan for each LTC resident on an individual basis in collaboration with the resident and the resident’s family.
    • It is important to note that the reopening of the NLRHC ED will increase capacity, but not service capability. Services at the reopened ED will mirror what is currently available at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC) and both will remain open when residents return.
    • Crews continue to work 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and restore the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
    • Restoration work underway or complete includes:
      • Potable water is now available at the hospital through a trucked-in supply. The entire flushing of water lines was completed May 26, and flushing will continue until the hospital is returned to AHS;
      • Detail cleaning in OR and endoscopy is underway.
      • The kitchen has been fully cleaned.
      • The removal of non-restorable contents is underway.
      • Dynalife laboratory staff have begun work in their areas.
      • All of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in the ED has been cleaned and are now operating. However, both air intake and building temperature continue to be impacted by variable air quality in the community.
      • Electrical fixtures have been removed from ceiling tile areas in the sub-basement, basement, and main floor. This work has also started on the second and third floors.
      • Air duct cleaning is almost complete throughout the facility.
      • Ceiling tiles have been removed from offices and rooms on the main floor, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging area. The installation of new tiles is complete in ED, Lab, DI and HIM. Installation of new tiles is 70 per cent complete on the basement and sub-basement levels.
      • Detailed cleaning of offices, washrooms and supply rooms leading into the ED is underway.
      • The cooling tower has been cleaned and is now running when air quality permits doing so.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • The City of Edmonton closed the evacuation/reception centre at Northlands last Friday.
    • AHS will continue to support the health needs of evacuees staying at other congregate accommodations, such as Lister Hall in Edmonton, and the University of Calgary, Mt. Royal University and SAIT in Calgary.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres has decreased significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands, Concordia University and Lister Hall in Edmonton have been declared over.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services.

    Mental Health:

    • The roving community wellness team in Fort McMurray provided psycho-social support to about 327 people in a 24-hour period over the weekend. One to one counselling was offered as required. Additional mental health staff have begun work in the city.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #7: May 27, 2016 - 4:45 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 576,781 hectares, including about 3,200 hectares in Saskatchewan, and is still classified as out of control. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 22 degrees Celsius today. The temperature is expected to be in the high teens to low 20s for the next few days, with rain and possibly thunderstorms forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

    Re-entry:

    Returning to work:

    • We are asking employees to be back in Fort McMurray and available to return to work on June 7, 2016.
    • HR will be calling all Fort McMurray employees on May 30 and 31, letting you know of this date. This does not mean that you will be starting work on June 7 – this will depend on which units and services are opened on that date, or on future dates as hospital restoration continues.
    • You will be contacted again prior to June 7th with respect to further details surrounding the specific date you will be required to return to your unit/service.
    • You can find out more here:

    Staffing assistance needed:

    • We are seeking additional staffing in the Fort McMurray area – at the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre (FMUCC), the Mental Health Clinic and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre - as work continues towards the reopening of the hospital.
    • Urgent and specific needs include: ED nurses; Biomedical Engineers; Mental Health Staff; Environmental Services Workers.
    • Additional needs include: Respiratory Therapists; Administrative Support (clerical and secretarial); HIM Clerks.
    • Volunteering for positions and releasing staff, when possible, is supported at all levels of AHS.
    • Any staff wishing to be redeployed to the Fort McMurray should do the following:
      • Receive approval from your manager.
      • Send an email to FMMsupport@ahs.ca and use the word “DEPLOYMENT” in the subject line of the email.
      • Include your name, current position and department, skills and training; home work site, contact information, and dates of availability.
    • If you have any additional questions, please email FMMsupport@ahs.ca directly.

    Public Health:

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, more than 300 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • Media outlets had stories on the FMUCC earlier this week. You can see two stories here:
    • An OR became operational on May 22 and is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • Physicians and staff coming to work at the UCC are reminded that they cannot enter Northern Lights Regional Health Centre without direct authorization from the Incident Command Post and Protective Services Command.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Restoration work restarted at the hospital on May 21, after more than four days of delay caused by the evacuation of restoration workers (due, in turn, to extremely poor air quality and wildfire activity north of the city).
    • Crews are now working 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and restore the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
    • Restoration work already complete includes:
      • Potable water is now available at the hospital through a trucked-in supply. The entire flushing of water lines was completed May 26, and flushing will continue until the hospital is returned to AHS;
      • Detail cleaning in OR and endoscopy is underway.
      • The removal of non-restorable contents is underway.
      • Dynalife laboratory staff have begun work in their areas.
      • All of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in the ED has been cleaned and are now operating. However, both air intake and building temperature continue to be impacted by variable air quality in the community.
      • Electrical fixtures have been removed from ceiling tile areas in the sub-basement, basement, and main floor. This work has also started on the second and third floors.
      • Air duct cleaning is complete on the second and third floors, and in the food services areas of the basement. Work is halfway complete in the sub-basement, and is now underway on the fourth floor.
      • Ceiling tiles have been removed from offices and rooms on the main floor, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging area. Tile removal has also begun in the basement and sub-basement. The installation of new tiles is complete in ED, Lab, DI and HIM.
      • Detailed cleaning of offices, washrooms and supply rooms leading into the ED is underway.
      • The cooling tower has been cleaned and is now running when air quality permits doing so.
    • Once the restoration work is complete, AHS will then need to deep clean and re-supply the ED before reopening it to patient care.
    • Focus remains on initially restoring priority areas – the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services, Health Information Management temporary pharmacy and nutrition support.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • The City of Edmonton closed the evacuation/reception centre at Northlands this morning.
    • AHS will continue to support the health needs of evacuees staying at other congregate accommodations, such as Lister Hall in Edmonton, and the University of Calgary, Mt. Royal University and SAIT in Calgary.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres has decreased significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands, Concordia University and Lister Hall in Edmonton have been declared over.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services.

    Mental Health:

    • The roaming crisis response team in Fort McMurray is providing crisis response services to about 84 people per 12 hour shift, with many of these encounters becoming one-on-one discussions.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the

    Update #6: May 26, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 566,188 hectares, including 3,200 hectares in Saskatchewan, and still classified as out of control. Fire conditions are high to extreme in northeastern Alberta.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 20 degrees Celsius today, with showers. The temperature is expected to be in the high teens to low 20s for the next few days, with rain forecast on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

    Re-entry:

    Public Health:

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, more than 300 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • Media outlets had stories on the FMUCC yesterday. You can see two stories here:
    • An OR became operational on Sunday morning (May 22) and is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • Physicians and staff coming to work at the UCC are reminded that they cannot enter Northern Lights Regional Health Centre without direct authorization from the Incident Command Post and Protective Services Command.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation and physician on-call rosters for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Restoration work restarted at the hospital on May 21, after more than four days of delay caused by the evacuation of restoration workers (due, in turn, to extremely poor air quality and wildfire activity north of the city).
    • Crews are now working 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and restore the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
    • Restoration work already complete includes:
      • Potable water is now available at the hospital through a trucked-in supply;
      • Parts of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in the ED have been cleaned and are now operating. However, both air intake and building temperature continue to be impacted by variable air quality in the community.
      • Electrical fixtures have been removed from ceiling tile areas in the sub-basement, basement, and main floor. This work has also started on the second and third floors.
      • Air duct cleaning is complete in the food services areas of the basement and main floor foyer. Similar work has now started on the ORs on the main level as well as obstetrics on the second floor. 60 per cent of the ducts have now been cleaned.
      • Ceiling tiles have been removed from offices and rooms on the main floor, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging area. Tile removal has also begun in the basement and sub-basement. The installation of new tiles has also begun.
      • Detailed cleaning of offices, washrooms and supply rooms leading into the ED has begun.
      • The cooling tower has been cleaned and is now running when air quality permits doing so.
    • Once the restoration work is complete, AHS will then need to deep clean and re-supply the ED before reopening it to patient care.
    • Focus remains on initially restoring priority areas – the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services, Health Information Management temporary pharmacy and nutrition support.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • The City of Edmonton plans to close the evacuation/reception centre at Northlands tomorrow (May 27). AHS staff will continue to provide health supports at the centre until it closes.
    • AHS will continue to support the health needs of evacuees staying at other congregate accommodations, such as Lister Hall in Edmonton, and the University of Calgary, Mt. Royal University and SAIT in Calgary.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres is decreasing significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands, Concordia University and Lister Hall in Edmonton have been declared over.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services.

    Mental Health:

    • The roaming crisis response team in Fort McMurray is providing crisis response services to about 84 people per 12 hour shift, with many of these encounters becoming one-on-one discussions.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #5: May 24, 2016 - 4:15 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 522,892 hectares and still classified as out of control.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 21 degrees Celsius today, with scattered showers. The temperature is expected to be in the low 20s for the next few days. Only a small amount of rain fell in Fort McMurray over the weekend.

    Re-entry:

    Public Health:

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, more than 200 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • An OR became operational on Sunday morning (May 22) and is ready to manage potential life-threatening surgical conditions, where transferring the patient to Edmonton without surgery would add an unacceptable safety risk to patient care.
    • Staff coming to work at the UCC are reminded that they cannot enter Northern Lights Regional Health Centre without direct authorization from the Incident Command Post and Protective Services Command.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Restoration work restarted at the hospital on May 21, after more than four days of delay caused by the evacuation of restoration workers (due, in turn, to extremely poor air quality and wildfire activity north of the city).
    • Crews are now working 24/7, in two 12-hour shifts, to clean and remediate the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
    • Restoration work already complete includes:
      • Potable water is now available at the hospital through a trucked-in supply;
      • Parts of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in the ED have been cleaned and is now operating. However, this continues to be impacted by poor air quality.
      • Electrical fixtures have been removed from ceiling tile areas in the sub-basement, basement, and main floor. This work has started on the second and third floors.
      • Air duct cleaning is complete in the food services areas of the basement and main floor foyer. This work has now started on the ORs on the main level as well as obstetrics on the second floor.
      • Ceiling tiles have been removed from offices and rooms on the main floor, as well as the Diagnostic Imaging area. Tile removal has also begun in the basement and sub-basement.
      • Detailed cleaning of offices, washrooms and supply rooms leading into the ED has begun.
    • Once the restoration work is complete, AHS will then need to deep clean and re-supply the ED before reopening it to patient care.
    • Focus remains on initially restoring priority areas – the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services, a temporary Pharmacy, Health Information Management and Food Services.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • AHS continues to have staff in evacuation/reception centres in Edmonton and Calgary Zones.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres is decreasing significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands in Edmonton, and Concordia University in Edmonton and Lister Hall in Edmonton have been declared over.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services.

    Mental Health:

    • The roaming crisis response team is providing crisis response services to as many as 200-230 people in Fort McMurray each day.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    EMS:

    • EMS has 24 staff in place in Fort McMurray, staffing six ambulances; in addition to the four ambulances available in Fort McMurray (for a total of 10).
    • Two fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter are also in place, staffed by eight air ambulance crew members.
    • This level of service will be available until the hospital is fully operational.

    Update #4: May 20, 2016 - 4:15 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 503,000 hectares and still classified as out of control.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray was about 17 degrees Celsius at 4 p.m., with scattered showers. The temperature is expected to be in the mid to high teens this weekend, with showers forecast for tomorrow.

    Re-entry:

    Public Health:

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College.
    • The Urgent Care Centre is available to anyone in Fort McMurray, including first responders, restoration workers, and anyone else in the city who requires medical care.
    • As of this morning, a total of 150 patients have been cared for since the UCC opened.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation for re-entry plans.
    • Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:
    • We are hopeful that restoration workers will be able to return to work at NLRHC tomorrow. Alternative lodging for those workers has been organized.
    • Restoration work at NLRHC has been on hold since workers were evacuated on May 16.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • AHS continues to have staff in evacuation/reception centres in Edmonton and Calgary Zones.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres is decreasing significantly. The outbreaks at Northlands in Edmonton, and Concordia University in Edmonton, were declared over on Thursday.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services

    Mental Health:

    • The roaming crisis response team is providing crisis response services to about 200-230 people in Fort McMurray each day.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    Update #3: May 19, 2016 - 5:10 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 505,000 hectares and continuing to grow. To put that into perspective, the fire has now consumed an area equivalent to 90 per cent of Prince Edward Island.
    • The fire has crossed into Saskatchewan.
    • The temperature in Fort McMurray dropped to 9 degrees Celsius today, with scattered showers. The temperature is expected to rise again tomorrow, with a forecast of 22 degrees Celsius, but lower temperatures and showers are expected through the weekend.

    Re-entry:

    Public Health:

    • Air quality in Fort McMurray had improved significantly this morning, and was at 2 (low risk) at 3 p.m. However, air quality is expected to worsen over the next few days. https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-004_e.html
    • AHS staff working in, or deploying to, Fort McMurray are urged to read the following wildfire smoke resources:
    • The air quality advisory remains in place for Fort McMurray.
    • A new air quality advisory was issued today for Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, Smoky Lake and Elk Point.
    • Precautionary air quality advisories for Edmonton and Central Zones were rescinded this afternoon. However, the precautionary air quality advisory for Edmonton was re-issued about 5 p.m. due to smoke blowing into the city.
    • The Boil Water Advisory first issued on May 4 was revised on May 18. Testing has confirmed that the Janvier and Conklin water supply is safe so the boil water advisory is no longer in place for those two communities.
    • The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for all other areas supplied by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Fort McMurray Water Treatment Plant – including the City of Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray International Airport, and Saprae Creek – as well as communities served by the regional line to Anzac and area including Gregoire Lake Provincial Park and Gregoire Lake.

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing 24/7 basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.
    • As of this morning, a total of 140 patients have been cared for.
    • Approximately 200 individuals needing crisis response support have been cared for.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Work on remediating NLRHC remains on hold, due to the evacuation of contracted remediation staff. We are hopeful this situation will be resolved shortly.
    • AHS has arranged for some staff lodging at Keyano College, adjacent to the FMUCC.
    • Evacuation/reception centres:
    • AHS continues to have staff in evacuation/reception centres in Edmonton and Calgary Zones.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres is decreasing significantly.
    • AHS staff continue to help individuals needing nursing, pharmacy and psychosocial help as well as way-finding to other health care services

    Mental Health:

    • The roaming crisis response team has provided crisis response services to about 200 people in Fort McMurray.
    • A firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    Update #2: May 18, 2016 - 6 p.m.

    Fort McMurray fire:

    • Currently about 422,000 hectares and continuing to grow. The mandatory evacuation order for Fort McMurray has been extended to include the area from Fort McMurray to just south of Fort McKay.
    • About 8,000 workers classified as ‘non-essential’ have been evacuated from work camps.
    • The fire is now five kilometres from the Saskatchewan border.
    • Temperatures are forecast to fall to 13 degrees Celsius tomorrow, with a 40 per cent chance of rain.

    Re-entry:

    • The provincial Government announced today that a voluntary, phased re-entry for the safe return of Fort McMurray residents will begin June 1 if future wildfire conditions do not delay restoration efforts. Government added that re-entry should be complete by June 15, to coincide with full restoration of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
    • Residents with the following medical conditions or situations should not return to the community until the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is fully operational:
      • A chronic or acute medical condition, such as asthma;
      • Anyone requiring regular primary care, specialist care, laboratory or diagnostic services;
      • Anyone requiring counselling or mental-health services;
      • Anyone more than 36 weeks pregnant or with a high-risk pregnancy;
      • Anyone receiving cancer treatment, dialysis or other specialized medical services;
      • Anyone requiring home care, home oxygen or home health supports;
      • Anyone recently discharged from hospital or who has had a transplant.

    Public Health:

    • Air quality this morning was 10+ (high risk) and the next few days are expected to continue with poor air quality.
    • AHS staff working in, or deploying to, Fort McMurray are urged to read the following wildfire smoke resources
    • Air quality advisory remains in place for Fort McMurray; Precautionary air quality advisories remain in place for the North and Edmonton Zones.
    • The Boil Water Advisory first issued on May 4 was revised today. Testing has confirmed that the Janvier and Conklin water supply is safe so the boil water advisory is no longer in place for those two communities.
    • The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for all other areas supplied by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Fort McMurray Water Treatment Plant – including the City of Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray International Airport, and Saprae Creek – as well as communities served by the regional line to Anzac and area including Gregoire Lake Provincial Park and Gregoire Lake.

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.
    • As of this morning, a total of 65 patients have been cared for. One patient required medevac to Edmonton, related to a chronic medical condition exacerbated by the poor air quality.
    • FMUCC is operational 24 hours a day.
    • Services available include emergency care, laboratory, x-ray and head CT-scan. Three AHS EMS advanced life support ambulances and an AHS EMS supervisor are also staffed 24 hours a day in the community.
    • Approximately 140 mental health related patients have been cared for.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Work on remediating NLRHC remains on hold, due to the evacuation of contracted remediation staff.
    • AHS has arranged for lodging at Keyano College, adjacent to the FMUCC.

    Evacuation/reception centres:

    • AHS continues to have staff in evacuation/reception centres in Edmonton, Central and Calgary Zones.
    • The numbers of GI illnesses reported at the evacuation/reception centres is decreasing significantly.

    Mental Health:

    • Roaming crisis response team has provided mental health services to about 150 people in Fort McMurray.
    • Firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).

    Update #1: May 17, 2016 - 4:15 p.m.

    Fort McMurray Fire:

    • Currently more than 284,000 hectares and continuing to grow. The mandatory evacuation order for Fort McMurray was expanded north on Monday afternoon, for all camps north of the city, up to and including the Ruth Lake Camp. All camps and production facilities requiring the use of the Aostra Road were also evacuated.
    • Temperatures are forecast in the high 20s for the next few days, with winds gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour out of the south.

    Public Health:

    • Air quality this morning was 10+ (high risk) and the next few days will continue with poor air quality. https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-004_e.html
      Anything above 10 compromises the health of people working in that environment.
    • Boil water advisory remains in place.
    • Air quality advisory remains in place for Fort McMurray; Precautionary air quality advisories remain in place for the North and Edmonton Zones.

    Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre:

    • AHS is providing basic health services and emergency and urgent care out of the Fort McMurray Urgent Care Centre, which opened May 14 at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.
    • Services available include emergency care, laboratory, x-ray and head CT-scan. Three AHS EMS advanced life support ambulances and an AHS EMS supervisor are also staffed 24 hours a day in the community.
    • FMUCC is operational 24 hours a day.
    • As of this morning, 20 patients (all CTAS 4 or 5) had been cared for.
    • Approximately 100 mental health related patients have been cared for.
    • AHS is continuing to review the staffing rotation for re-entry plans.

    Northern Lights Regional Health Centre:

    • Work on remediating NLRHC is currently on hold, due to the evacuation of contracted remediation staff.
    • Significant work has already taken place, including the replacement of ceiling tiles, and the cleaning of air ducts.
    • The HVAC systems cannot be used at this time, due to the poor air quality.

    Evacuation/Reception Centres:

    • AHS continues to have staff in evacuation/reception centres in North, Edmonton, Central and Calgary Zones.
    • The Bold Centre in Lac La Biche has determined they no longer need AHS teams at the evacuation/reception centre.

    Mental Health:

    • Firefighter rehab station has been set up at Macdonald Island. This includes EMS medical station/CISM representation and AHS Addiction and Mental Health (crisis response team).
    • Other members of the crisis response team are roaming in the community as required, providing services.

    Updates