No number of training exercises could have prepared Albertans for the devastation that has rippled through her communities in the last three weeks. We have witnessed high water levels reach their critical points, homes swept away with the currents, thousands of residents displaced into unfamiliar locations, families separated and reunited, strangers sharing laughter and tears. Alberta’s affliction has been the forefront of all news casts, day and night; this disaster has held us all in a space between reality and nightmare.
During the May 2011 Slave Lake fires that brought a whole town to its knees, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency learned lessons first-hand in the wake of disaster. The Emergency Management Act was amended later that year, providing further support to local authorities which include online training, the ability to form unique partnerships between municipalities in need, establishing clearer roles and responsibilities on both local and provincial levels, streamlining critical, potentially life-saving, processes in the event of a major disaster. On a local level, Chestermere’s own Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA) has undergone numerous disaster exercises, the latest being a tornado touchdown. These practice runs allows CHEMA members to apply their training and knowledge to aid those affected by the disaster, organize shelters and provide basic needs for victims, offer comfort, in addition to registering evacuees to ensure everyone is accounted for.
When neighbouring towns found themselves in trouble, trained CHEMA members were there delivering supplies, entering evacuee data, providing child care and establishing relationships with residents living in the evacuation centre. The Town of Chestermere reached out to the Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) of High River and offered our services to aid their community during this time. Not only were Firefighters present in Redwood Meadows in the early days, but also so was the presence of Public Works as the recovery efforts had begun in High River, and Chestermere RCMP assisting the High River EOC. As other communities were later affected by the floods, Community Services had a presence in Morley/Siksika First Nation. Ross Duncan, Fund Development Coordinator, shared the impact of collaborating with other volunteers and Siksika First Nation members as a “great [way] to see everyone so patient and coordinated in the midst of a State of Emergency.” He wishes to maintain this relationship of collective efforts in the upcoming months as residents slowly return back to their homes.
With nearly 20,000 Albertan residents still without permanent lodging, witnessing life in an evacuation centre really brings it home. Upon arrival, the sight of several hundred individuals sharing a living space is overwhelming. Then the sense of community becomes apparent; everything seems so calm & organized in a time of crisis, the repeated statements of appreciation for coming & helping out, the needs of shelter residents being assessed & attended to.
“People are amazingly resilient,” are words founded in an email of reflection for Laura Brankovich, Social Planner for the Town of Chestermere. Initially, the role of aiding residents in High River was daunting. What were we to expect? What do the people at the evacuation centre need? How can we possibly aid so many who have been in a state of emergency just days ago? Many members of CHEMA volunteering at the site were also personally affected by the flooding but there with a smile on their face ready and willing to serve others.
Stepping into a volunteer role for CHEMA was empowered by the proactive response others shared- to get back on our feet as Albertans. Despite seeing rows and rows of cots amidst a world of chaos this little depiction of organization set in a reality for all of us, this was now their home; a community forged together by a unforeseen event. This community settled in the Blackie hockey arena was sprouted in a matter of days; an honest environment created in response to the unique needs of each individual.
As efforts from residents all over Southern Alberta continue to flow into rural communities and reception centres, it was truly awe inspiring to be part of the kindness and generosity shared by Chestermere residents. On Friday afternoon, receiving several calls about how to donate items or time was a complete surprise as the response to the Alberta floods was so instantaneous. Witnessing this is truly comforting to be part of a community that outpours such a strong degree of care for others. At the Blackie reception centre, the acts of caring were palpable. The local owner of the Tim Hortons in High River was also evacuated from his own home. He and his family had pitched a mobile store feeding residents all day complimentary refreshments and snacks. Calgary Co-op drove out grills and breakfast items to serve up a hot breakfast. Two Hutterite colonies came for most evenings serving a hot supper for more than 100 individuals.
And we have witnessed that within disaster comes eventual relief. Relief in a neighbours’ simple compassion, a found lost puppy, or just knowing that life will go on, “…come Hell or High Water,” as Stampede President Bob Thompson had declared. This rings true for so many of us, in all walks of life. There is something about working in crisis that bonds people more quickly than weeks of everyday living.
