“You can’t help but flashback to what happened in our community in Edson last year, and this was my first chance to give back to them when they need it most.”
When Gean Chouinard got the late-night phone call, he knew this was his chance to return the favour.
The Town of Edson councillor volunteers his time with Moving Edson and Area transportation service. When he found out they were sending three buses to Jasper to pick up seniors in need after Monday night’s Alberta Emergency Alert — ordering residents of the town of 4,700 to evacuate — he knew he needed to step up.
“You can’t help but flashback to what happened in our community in Edson last year, and this was my first chance to give back to them when they need it most,” said Chouinard.
As he started his trek west along Highway 16 around 9:30 p.m., he said fires were burning on both sides of the highway and at times he had to drive through heavy smoke.
‘People need reassurance’
“It doesn’t get easier, but when you go through one, you know what to expect. My first task was to get there safely and to be calm. These people need reassurance that everything is going to be alright,” said Chouinard.
When he arrived in Jasper around 12:30 a.m., RCMP escorted his group safely to the long-term care facility, and he said as they made their way through Jasper, he saw many people on standby, waiting patiently to evacuate.
“The town was very smoky, and I saw a lot of (senior residents) in shock. They should be sleeping, and it’s 12:30 a.m., and I’m here to take them on a bus,” said Chouinard, who arrived back home in Edson at 6 a.m.
“There was a lot of concern and worry, and my concern was to make sure they were comfortable, and I wanted to ensure they were taking care of them.”
Chouinard helped transport 30 seniors living with severe mobility and medical issues, bringing them safely to Hinton and Edson, where they will be staying in hospital or long-term care facilities in both towns until they can safely return to Jasper after the evacuation order ends.
They’re roughly 165 kilometres apart, but the town of Edson was ready to help out the town of Jasper any way they possibly could when the evacuation order came through.
‘You just go’
Dawn Mitchell, executive director for Moving Edson and Area and a Yellowhead County councillor, said communities need to come together to help each other in times like this.
“You don’t even hesitate when your neighbouring municipalities are in need. You just go. How can we help? How can we support you?” Mitchell said.
“The people of Jasper are amazing. Last year, when we were going through our troubles with wildfires and flooding, they stepped up, asking what can we do?
“In times like this, it’s important to pull all your resources together and all your man hours and do what you can to help.”
Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara said the town’s airport has been very busy sending aircraft to Jasper to help fight the wildfires.
Zahara said it’s been difficult to see the neighbouring town go through the same situation that his community did last year.
“It’s a very challenging time. Edson, Hinton and Jasper are all really close. We work on a lot of different projects. They were like family to us when they hosted us as evacuees,” said Zahara.
“Our hearts go out to everyone in Jasper and what they’re going through.“
With Highway 16 being cut off eastbound, there hasn’t been a lot of evacuee traffic heading toward Hinton, but Mayor Nicholas Nissen said his community is ready and willing to help residents of Jasper with open arms when that time comes.
“With the way it’s worked out with the highway being cut off between Jasper and Hinton, we haven’t seen much traffic, and we don’t anticipate much traffic because the vast majority had to head west,” said Nissen.
“We’re standing by and willing to help when needed. So far, we’ve sent two fire trucks and equipment along with eight firefighters to help out.”
Edmonton mayor offers support
On Tuesday, the City of Edmonton announced it will be stepping up efforts to help evacuees.
Effective immediately, the Kendale Site, Building #2, located at 12814 58 St., will have 24-hour support to help evacuees co-ordinate lodging and funding for food, water, clothing and hygiene items as well as pet care.
“My thoughts are with the people of Jasper who have been asked to leave their homes due to wildfires in their community. This is an incredibly trying time, and the City of Edmonton is well-prepared to support our neighbours in these difficult circumstances,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi on X.
“I have spoken with Mayor Richard Ireland of Jasper to reiterate my support. The City of Edmonton received a request from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the municipality of Jasper to support a mandatory evacuation in Jasper and Jasper National Park.”