Crisis & Recovery From Chaos to Control
DISASTER TIMELINE | FROM CHAOS TO CONTROL
"I don't think I could ever be as proud of my coworkers as I was during this horrible event."
Almost as quickly as the flames were spreading, administrators and emergency personnel were planning their counterattack. At the first sign of trouble, MD Councillors and employees began making their way to the administration building – which would become the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) until encroaching fire prompted evacuation to Slave Lake. The vast majority of municipal personnel left their families in safe hands and remained with the MD throughout the ordeal, foregoing sleep, safety, basic amenities, or even knowledge of whether or not their homes still existed.
Each person did the utmost within the scope of his or her respective role within the MD, as well as countless tasks large and small that needed to be done. Councillors helped prepare host communities and find fuel for stranded evacuees. Managers manned telephones and knocked on doors to warn residents. Employees ran gauntlets of airborne embers to rescue critical equipment and set up makeshift headquarters. Amid the violence and chaos of the smoke and flames, they worked as a team – and in concert with a variety of other teams and individuals – to safeguard the people of Lesser Slave River.
Although this devastating event was the last scenario anyone would wish for, there were some positive outcomes from a social perspective. The fabric of the community was tested and held fast. Endurance and courage trumped fear and fatigue. Ordinary people became heroes, and coworkers and casual acquaintances became lifelong friends.
THE SECOND WAVE
Just as momentum was gathering on recovery from the wildfires, a second disaster struck. Days of heavy rainfall led to severe flooding in the area, adding to the workload and compounding the frustration of residents.
ORIGINS OF DISASTER
In Late October 2011, arson was revealed as the only possible cause of the fires that wrought such havoc on the Lesser Slave River region. This interactive map illustrates where and when these devastating wildfires began.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE
On November 22, 2011, Reeve Denny Garratt was invited to share Lesser Slave River's story of crisis and recovery with fellow elected officials at the AAMDC Convention in Edmonton. This is what he told a packed auditorium.
FIRE WEATHER INDEX
CRISIS PRESENTATION
View an immersive presentation on the spring 2011 wildfires.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Listen to the personal accounts of those who weathered the fires.
Judy, Finance Administrator
Kelly, Human Resource Coordinator
Lana, Executive Assistant
INTERACTIVE MAP
Discover where the wildfires began and how they spread
