Nick Parkinson, President & CEO, YMCA of Northern Alberta, advises that yesterday (May 3) they received a request to consider voluntary evacuation as a wildfire encroached upon neighbourhoods and community centres in the Fort McMurray area. In the interest of the health and safety of all children, youth and families, the Association closed all child care centres in the area, the Westwood YMCA, Eagle Ridge YMCA and the Community Programs office. Parents were contacted by YMCA staff to pick up their children and the YMCA worked closely with all schools.
Since yesterday, the rapidly shifting wildfire has resulted in the entire city of 80,000 residents being under a mandatory evacuation order.
Their Senior Management team has scheduled emergency conference calls every hour with appropriate staff in order to receive status updates and reports.
As of now, all staff are safe and the city continues to be closed and on mandatory evacuation. They are preparing to support any staff that might be relocating to Edmonton. No information is available on the status of YMCA buildings at this time.
Our hearts and thoughts are with the people and communities affected by this emergency wildfire situation, and we have let Nick know, on behalf of the Federation, that we are here to support them in any way needed.
For more information, please contact Laura Palmer Korn, President & CEO (Acting), YMCA Canada.