Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the roles he played both during and following the wildfires that plagued the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the initial sequence of events that led his crew to Slave Lake to assist with emergency management during the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

EXPANDED CAPTION: Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the roles played by CEMA and Canada Task Force II during the wildfires that plagued the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the manpower that CEMA brought to the Lesser Slave River area to assist with emergency management during the wildfires that affected the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson shares his observations upon arriving in the Lesser Slave River area to assist with emergency management during the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson stresses the importance of collaborating with local municipal workers and emergency personnel during his role as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson recounts his experience working with local municipal workers and emergency personnel during his role as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson describes the magnitude and ferocity of the wildfires that affected the Lesser Slave River area in May 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson explains some of the logistical challenges that the EOC, MD and Town of Slave Lake faced in returning residents to their homes following the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses one of the post-disaster communications challenges he faced during his role as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the Lesser Slave River wildfires of spring 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson explains the focus and strategic planning of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during and after the wildfires that affected the Lesser Slave River area in May 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson credits Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) for their role in battling the Lesser Slave River wildfires. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the communications challenges experienced by the MD, EOC and support personnel during the wildfires that hit the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses the communications challenges he faced in his role as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the wildfires that affected the Lesser Slave River area. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson credits the residents of Lesser Slave River for the vital role they played in assisting the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the spring wildfires of 2011. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson shares some of the important lessons he learned leading the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the wildfires that hit the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses some of the experiences he had as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the wildfires that hit the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson discusses some of the experiences he had as leader of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the wildfires that hit the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson shares some post-crisis words of advice with the residents and elected officials of Lesser Slave River. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Deputy Chief Tom Sampson shares a touching story about an honour bestowed upon him by Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt. Sampson and his crew were dispatched to the Lesser Slave River area from Calgary during the wildfires of May 2011 – one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Initially deployed to provide emergency medical assistance, Sampson was soon recruited to lead the EOC for the duration of the crisis.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt speaks at the annual Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) fall 2011 convention at the Shaw Center in Edmonton. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt praises towns and municipalities across Alberta for their swift and abundant assistance during one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt acknowledges the critical roles played by Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Minister of Municipal Affairs Hector Goudreau, and Provincial Task Force Coordinator Tim Grant during the aftermath of the spring 2011 wildfires. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt expresses his gratitude for the significant strategic tactical and financial assistance provided by the Government of Alberta in the aftermath of the spring 2011 wildfires. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt expresses his gratitude for the significant strategic tactical and financial assistance provided by the Government of Alberta in the aftermath of the spring 2011 wildfires. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt acknowledges the abundant resourcefulness and quick decision making by emergency response teams in the aftermath of one of Canada's worst natural disasters. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt recounts the daunting task of accounting for more than $20 million in recovery funding in the early days following the spring 2011 wildfires. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt discusses the significant social impacts that followed in the path of the spring 2011 wildfires. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt thanks staff, management and Council members for their tireless support both during and after the devastating wildfires of spring 2011. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

In his closing, Lesser Slave River Reeve Denny Garratt jokingly dispels a common myth at the annual Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) fall 2011 convention at the Shaw Center in Edmonton. Reeve Garratt's presentation, entitled "Crisis and Recovery from a Municipal Perspective" dealt with the northern municipality's wildfire recovery efforts, and played to a packed hall of about 800 fellow Reeves, Mayors, Councillors and elected officials.

Lesser Slave River Chief Administrative Officer Allan Winarski praises municipal staff and Council members for their tireless efforts both during and after the wildfires of spring 2011. Mr. Winarski also acknowledges staff and officials from the Town of Slave Lake for their contributions.

Slave Lake Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee speaks at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) fall 2011 conference in Edmonton. As guest speaker on a panel discussing the region's ongoing recovery from wildfire, Mayor Pillay-Kinnee shares her insights and perspectives with her fellow elected officials.

Colin Lloyd, Executive Director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, speaks at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) fall 2011 conference in Edmonton. As guest speaker on a panel discussing the region's ongoing recovery from wildfire, Mr. Lloyd explains the various roles and responsibilities of Alberta's public safety system during the 2011 Lesser Slave River wildfires .

Tim Grant, Chair of the Slave Lake Disaster Recovery Task Force, speaks at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) fall 2011 conference in Edmonton. As guest speaker on a panel discussing the region's ongoing recovery from wildfire, Mr. Grant discusses the Province's role in facilitating recovery efforts.