Reflecting on the reception centre
September 20, 2023
From August 17 to September 18, The City of Red Deer supported more than 1100 evacuees from the Northwest Territories whose homes were threatened by wildfire.
When thousands of Northwest Territories residents were ordered to evacuate, many communities in Alberta were called upon to receive evacuees in their communities. Immediately, The City of Red Deer mobilized our reception centre at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre. The Emergency Social Services (ESS) team sprang into action to secure lodging and food for evacuees, arrange for pet care through the Central Alberta Humane Society, and coordinate social support through AHS’s Addictions and Mental Health Services.
Those first few days saw 24-7 operations, urgent calls to hotels and restaurants, and a flurry of information coming both in and out of the reception centre. On Thursday, August 17 road-weary evacuees, some who had been travelling for 23 hours, began to arrive at the Dawe Reception Centre. Exhausted and overwhelmed, some evacuees burst into tears as they were welcomed by our ESS crew. ESS team members heard many thanks from evacuees for the quiet, serene space, the welcoming faces and organized, supportive staff ready to help.
What is ESS?
The role of the Emergency Social Services (ESS) team is to register and take care of the basic needs of evacuees while they are displaced from their homes.
“Our job is to connect people with the resources they need, when they need it,” said Carol Lind, Emergency Management Coordinator. “We received a wide array of individuals, from expectant mothers in need of prenatal care, to people seeking to lodge their pets while they stayed in hotels, and families in need of basic essentials like diapers and formula.”
Within the first few days, reception centres in more northern communities quickly reached capacity and the number of evacuees coming to Red Deer rose dramatically. Ready to receive 1,000 evacuees, Red Deer surpassed that capacity by August 24.
Both Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories and Stacie Arden-Smith, Deputy Mayor of Yellowknife paid a visit to Red Deer’s reception centre, expressing their gratitude for how our community had stepped up to provide such compassionate care for their people.
Community Pride
As evacuees settled in, our community strived to find ways to help evacuees comfortably call Red Deer their temporary home. Many community groups and businesses reached out to offer free or discounted kids activities, workout classes, art classes and entertainment, education and remote-work space opportunities. City transit and recreation centres were made available free-of-charge to all evacuees, and ESS staff compiled lists of free resources and activities the NWT residents could take advantage of while in Red Deer.
“We had an outpouring of support from the community, with many people offering to donate their time, money and items. Many acts of kindness were present in Red Deer this summer, and we’re incredibly proud of how quickly hotels and restaurants responded to the call for help,” said Lind.
Heading Home
On September 6, Yellowknife, Dettah and N’Dilo residents were welcomed home, followed by Hay River and the Kʼatlodeeche First Nation on September 17. Lastly, Fort Smith residents were able to return to their communities on September 18. As the last of the evacuees left our city, the reception centre finally ceased operation on Monday, September 18.
“This was the longest Emergency Social Service response The City of Red Deer has ever provided. Over 33 days and approximately 324 hours!” explained Lind. “We have many learnings from this event and I am very proud of the response from our team.”
With things returning to normal, The City of Red Deer sends thanks to our residents, businesses and volunteers for supporting in every way possible. And to our evacuees who gave us so much love back – thank you, and we’re happy you called Red Deer home (even if it was for just a little while).
The Numbers
- Welcomed 1129 evacuees from the Northwest Territories.
- Reception centre was mobilized for 33 days, operating for a total of 325 hours!
- Partnered with 69 restaurants to provide meals to evacuees.
- Worked with 23 hotels to lodge 700+ evacuees choosing to stay in hotels.
- Distributed thousands of pounds of pet food through the Central Alberta Humane Society.
- Received $25,000 grant from the United Way to support evacuees with essential supplies.
- 100+ City employees supported the ESS.
- AT least 2 NWT babies born while in our community (possibly more).
- Boarded 1 dog sled teams, plus dozens more dogs & cats!
- 1 pesky bat caught!
Special Thank You To
Baymont Hotel and Suites- Best Western Plus Red Deer Inn & Suites
- Comfort Inn & Suites
- Hampton Inn & Suites
- Holiday Inn Express South
- Holiday Inn Express North
- Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South
- Quality Inn
- Radisson Hotel
- Ramada Inn
- Staybridge Suites
- Sandman Hotel Red Deer
- The Suites
- Western Budget Red Deer 1
- Western Budget Red Deer 2
Sylvan Lake Hotels
- Edgewater Inn
Blackfalds Hotels
- Blackfalds Motor Inn
- Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
Lacombe Hotels
- Travel Lodge Lacombe
- Best Western Plus Lacombe Inn's and Suites
Red Deer Restaurants
ABC Country- Albert's Family Restaurant / Same Old Dave's
- Anthony's Italian Kitchen
- Bo's Bar and Grill
- Booster Juice
- G.H. Dawe Community Centre
- Collicutt Centre
- 144 Leave Ave
- 6206A 67 St
- Boston Pizza South
- Boston Pizza North
- Boulevard Restaurant and Lounge
- Cafe Millennium
- Carl's Jr.
- Chillabong's Bar & Grill
- Cilantro & Chive
- Cowtown Beef Shack
- Earls
- Edo Japan Gasoline Alley
- Fat Burger
- Famoso Italian Pizzeria
- Forno Italian Restaurant / Hash Eatery
- Garden Terrace Lounge
- Gasoline Alley Indoor Farmers Market
- George's Pizza and Steakhouse
- Indian Flame
- Jake's Restaurant & Grill
- Jollibee's
- Jumble Eats Restaurant
- McDonald's
- 585 Laura Ave.
- 41 Petrolia Dr.
- 7149 50 Avenue
- 2502 50 Avenue
- 6375 50 Avenue
- 4840 52 Avenue
- 2010 50 Avenue
- #800, 3020 22 Street
- #300, 16 Conway Street
- #300, 6702 Golden W Avenue
- Mohave Smokehouse
- Montana's BBQ & Bar
- Moxies
- Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse
- Papa Baldy's Pizza
- Phil's Restaurant
- Piccolo's Pizza & Pasta
- Ricky's Cafe
- R&R Grill
- Sunset Grill
- Tandoor N Flame Indian Restaurant
- Tim Hortons - Downtown Location
- Wayback Burger
- West 67 Grill
Blackfalds
Boston Pizza Blackfalds- Lokal Kitchen
- McDonald's
- Piccolos Pizza & Pasta
- Subway
Sylvan Lake
- Boston Pizza
- Edo Japan
- McDonalds (50 Hewlett Park)
- Wendy's (3715 47th Avenue)
Lacombe
- Cilantro & Chive
- Dairy Queen Chill & Grill (5263 45 Street)
- Eastside Eatery
- McDonalds (5510 Highway 2A)
- Moe's Pizza
- Tollers Bistro
Gift Cards
- Red Deer Regional Airport
- Integrated Sensing & Surveillance Inc.
- Telus
Hygiene Kits and Diapers
- London Drugs
This list is by no means exhaustive; our apologies to anyone we may have missed in error.