Ready to respond: how Lethbridge stepped up to support wildfire evacuees

When wildfires forced thousands of Manitoba residents from their homes this summer, the City of Lethbridge stepped up to help. 

On July 11, the Government of Alberta asked if the City of Lethbridge could host evacuees. Within hours, the city gathered local partners. They checked space, confirmed supplies and built a plan. By the end of the day, Lethbridge was one of the first cities in Alberta to offer support. 

“We were uncertain if we’d be activated, but we prepared as if we would be,” says Jamie Anderson, Emergency Planning Administrator with the City of Lethbridge. “Our approach is about having the right people, plans and partnerships in place before they’re needed.”

With support from Lethbridge Polytechnic, Alberta Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Lethbridge Transit, Lethbridge Airport, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services and others, the City lined up housing, meals, buses and wellness supports for more than 250 evacuees in just a few days.

“This was a team effort,” says Greg Adair, Director of Emergency Management and Chief of Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services. “Each organization brought its expertise to the table. The collaboration was fast and focused on a desire to help our neighbours.”

Behind the scenes, the City worked with the province and local service providers. Transportation was set, wellness supports were arranged and back-up plans were in place. The City was ready to launch with only 24 hours’ notice. 

“Preparedness doesn’t just happen during an emergency,” says Eric Foster, Emergency Planning Administrator with the City of Lethbridge. “It is an ongoing investment in training and relationship building. That’s what allows us to mobilize quickly when needed.”

In the end, the City was not asked to receive evacuees. Still, the work paid off. It improved emergency plans, strengthened partnerships and showed that Lethbridge can respond at a moment’s notice. 

“The City of Lethbridge demonstrated a strong level of preparedness and operational readiness. The Alberta Emergency Management Agency relies on partners like Lethbridge to bolster the province’s emergency response capabilities, particularly when supporting neighbouring jurisdictions,” says Stephen Carr, executive director of provincial operations with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. “Although contingency plans were not activated for this particular emergency, we truly appreciate Lethbridge’s willingness to accept and support evacuees from Manitoba and are confident in working with Lethbridge during future emergencies if the need arises.”

“Our response planning reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to emergency readiness and interagency collaboration,” says Lloyd Brierley, City Manager. “We appreciate the dedication of our staff and community partners, whose efforts help make it possible to respond effectively when needed.”

The event also gave the City’s Emergency Social Services (ESS) team a chance to work with new volunteers. 

ESS is an emergency response program that trains volunteers to provide short-term, basic support for people affected by a disaster. 

“This was an opportunity for our new ESS volunteers to gain experience in our coordinated response effort,” says Anderson. “Events like this highlight the importance of readiness and the vital role our volunteers play in our response capacity.”

Learn more about the ESS Team and how you can volunteer at Lethbridge.ca/ESS