Helping Fort Mac Evacuees
Updated June 1, 2016
The City of Edmonton is providing support to Fort McMurray and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as the area is ravaged by wildfire and the residents are forced to evacuate.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has sent firefighters, equipment and vehicles to help fight the wildfires. Edmonton Transit, the Animal Care and Control Centre and other special services have also assisted in the effort.
The City’s Emergency Support Response Team set up a Reception Centre for evacuees at Northlands Expo Centre. The Reception Centre is now closed. It provided a range of services and supplies to nearly 25,000 evacuees during its operation from May 4 until May 27.
Edmontonians have demonstrated a spirit of caring, unparalleled in the world. Citizens are going above and beyond to offer help. The City invites people to provide assistance where it is most needed.
How Can I Help?
Volunteer
How can I volunteer to help evacuees?
The Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society (EERSS) needs help to provide direct support to people evacuated from the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Evacuee donation pick-up centre is located at Kingsway Mall (on the southwest corner of the mall).
Sign up through EERSS.
Donate
Where can I donate? Can I donate items?
- The Red Cross is accepting monetary donations online.
- Edmonton Food Bank information on donations online.
- Edmonton Humane Society is accepting pet supplies and monetary donations. Details can be found on their website.
The donation drop-off centre operated by the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society has closed.
The collection and coordination of donated items for Fort McMurray residents will be transferring to the Alberta government. Details on how to donate, what items are needed, and whether volunteers are needed will be posted at emergency.alberta.ca as they become available.
Offer Place to Stay
Are there programs to offer your home to stay in?
Landlords with six or more rental units available for rent can list their property. Landlords with properties containing five rental units or less are encouraged to use other existing rental accommodation.
Various Facebook pages have been set up for accommodation matching. The City of Edmonton does not manage these.
Follow @YMMhelp on Twitter.
Recovery Efforts
Companies that wish to assist with recovery efforts in Fort McMurray must first register via e-mail with logistics@rmwb.ca.
Information for Evacuees
Family Reunification
Red Cross has set up a family reunification phone number for Fort McMurray evacuees:
1-888-350-6070.
Donation Pick-Up Centre for Evacuees
Evacuees are invited to visit the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society (EERSS) Donation Pick-up Centre to collect new goods and supplies, free of charge.
EERSS distribution centre is located at 109 Street and Kingsway Avenue in Kingsway Mall.
For hours of operation, please refer to the EERSS website.
Donations are NOT accepted for drop off at this location.
On-Street Parking
Fort McMurray Evacuees - Permission to Park Permits
The City of Edmonton is providing Permission to Park permits to households in residential neighbourhoods that are providing temporary housing to Fort McMurray evacuees as out-of-town guests.
- Residential Parking Program areas: Permits will be granted for passenger vehicles, unattached trailers and motor homes.
- Other residential neighbourhoods: Permits will be allowed for unattached trailers and motor homes.
A permit will be provided for a maximum of two weeks after which time the resident may renew the permit if required.
All permits must display “Out of town guest from Fort McMurray” in the Additional Comments field to avoid being tagged and towed. Outdated permits with this information will be verified by Parking Management prior to Bylaw Enforcement issuing tickets for noncompliance.
Note: Vehicles/RVs must display a permit to be valid and should be parked in the vicinity of the resident’s home supplying lodging.
How to get the temporary permit
Please fill out the form to request a permit.
Or call 311. Our agent can help you submit a request.
Finding Housing
Hotels
Edmonton Economic Development Corporation has posted a list of hotels in Edmonton that are offering a compassion rate for evacuees on Twitter.
RV Accommodation
This map of RV sites in Edmonton and surrounding areas indicates showers, power and dump station facilities.
Short-term Rental
Evacuees in need of short-term housing can search Centralized Housing Registry, an online and telephone-based (1-844-265-6555) housing registry service listing Alberta rental properties available for one to six months.
Capital Region Housing Corporation is operating the registry in partnership with the City of Edmonton, Yardi, and the Alberta Residential Landlord Association (ARLA).
Landlords with six or more rental units available for rent can visit www.rentcafe.com/canada/fortmcmurraywildfires to list their property. Landlords with properties containing five rental units or less are encouraged to use other existing rental accommodation.
Free and Special Services
Free admission for evacuees
Citizen Services is providing displaced Wood Buffalo residents arriving in Edmonton free access to City of Edmonton attractions and recreation centres upon presentation of government issued identification.
Edmonton Public Library
All Fort McMurray residents are welcome to visit any of the Edmonton Public Library branches, with full access to their physical and digital resources.
ETS
Edmonton Transit System has provided the Red Cross and school boards with select transit passes for June. Evacuees may contact the Red Cross to discuss public transit needs: 1-888-350-6070
Alberta Health Services
Visit Alberta Health Services Wildfire Resources for health resources including contact information and latest news updates from the AHS.
AHS has launched Help in Tough Times for people affected or stressed by Fort McMurray wildfire.
211 Alberta
211 provides information/referral services and connects people to a full range of essential social, health, and government services in the community. Visit their website or call 211 24/7 for resources.
Children's Autism Services in Edmonton
Children's Autism Services is opening its doors to welcome families from Fort McMurray that have children with autism. We will do what we can to support your immediate needs. An understanding environment for your family to be able to rest and take a much needed break. Please contact Candice Quinlan at (780) 913-1657 or tweet @QuinlanCandice.
Inclusion Alberta
Inclusion Alberta is offering support and accommodation help for persons with developmental disabilities displaced by fires in northern Alberta. Contact 780-451-3055 ext. 400.
Office Space for Displaced Businesses
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is offering complimentary office space to businesses displaced by the Fort McMurray fire.
Government of Alberta Services
Please visit Government of Alberta - Emergency Updates (www.alberta.ca/emergency) for the latest information on current services available, including funding, housing, and other supports.
Government of Alberta Emergency Financial Assistance
Debit Cards
The Government of Alberta is providing $1,250 per adult and $500 per dependent in emergency financial assistance to people who have been displaced. As of Tuesday May 24, debit cards are available at Alberta Works Centres. Offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:15am-4:30pm.
The locations in Edmonton are:
- Edmonton City Centre, 10242-105 Street
- Edmonton North, 2050 Northgate Centre, 9499-137 Avenue
- Edmonton South, Argyll Centre, 6325 Gateway Boulevard NW
- Edmonton West, 120 Meadowlark Shopping Centre, 15710-87 Avenue
Fort McMurray residents may be eligible for the Wildfire Evacuee Transitional Accommodation Benefit to help cover the costs of temporary housing in Alberta. For current information and eligibility requirements, visit Government of Alberta - Emergency Updates and select the link for Financial assistance, insurance and employment information.
Red Cross Financial Assistance
Red Cross Financial Assistance
The Canadian Red Cross is providing $600 per adult and $300 per child to help provide another method of immediate emergency assistance.
The distribution of emergency funding assistance begins on May 11 and will be provided to evacuees in a number of ways - including electronic banking transfers through email, money orders, cash cards or vouchers - depending on people's current location in Canada and the quickest, most secure way to receive these funds.
You must be registered with the Canadian Red Cross to receive your financial assistance.
What is the City Doing to Help?
Fire Rescue support
The City continues to provide support to the Fort McMurray firefighting, inspection and recovery efforts with rotating teams of personnel from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, Edmonton Transit and other City areas.
City of Edmonton Reception Centre
The City of Edmonton's Emergency Support Response Team ran a Reception Centre for Fort McMurray evacuees from May 4 until May 27. Nearly 25,000 people visited the centre to access a range of services and supplies while it was in operation. Evacuees in need of assistance may contact the Canadian Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070.
Animal Care and Control Centre
The City of Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre (ACCC) (ACCC) cared for more than 350 pets evacuated from Fort McMurray while their owners seek stable accommodation.Working with other governments and agencies
The City continues to work with other orders of government and other agencies to coordinate services for evacuees. This work has included:
- providing support to Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society drop-off and pick-up operations and information sharing
- assisting the Government of Alberta and the Canadian Red Cross in efforts to reach and register evacuees
- working with many agencies on transitional housing, health and support services
- helping to source required items and deliveries
- helping to coordinate donation response efforts
- providing free access to Transit services and City attractions for evacuees and their families
- providing meeting space for the Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
For More Information
| Online | Contact 311 Online |
|---|
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
|---|---|
| TTY | 780-944-5555 |
| 311@edmonton.ca |
