Wood Buffalo is served by the Fort McMurray Fire Department and six rural volunteer departments.
All operations staff are cross-trained and qualified in firefighting/rescue and emergency medical response, allowing crews to respond to all incidents in the Municipality.
Staff work closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to mitigate wildfire risk. In addition, Regional Emergency Services maintains specialty teams in technical (high angle, confined space and collapsed structures), water rescue and dangerous goods response.
Fort McMurray Fire Department
The Fort McMurray Fire Department operations division consists of a fulltime integrated department offering emergency medical services, firefighting and rescue capabilities to the residents of Fort McMurray and the municipality. Although each rural community has their own volunteer Fire Department, EMS services which include basic life support and advanced life support staff are dispatched throughout the municipality from Fort McMurray. There are currently four operational fire halls, as well as a one fire hall committed to the 9-1-1 communication dispatch centre.
The highly qualified professionals of the Fort McMurray Fire Department possess a minimal qualification of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), fire training certification meeting North American (NFPA) standards and are registered members with the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP) and members of the International Fire Fighting Association Local 2494 (IAFF). The Fort McMurray Fire Department operates with over 130 qualified Fire Fighters, EMT's and Paramedics that are dedicated to offering timely and accurate first response. Find out more about Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment.
Fort McMurray Fire Halls
Fire Hall 1 – Downtown |
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Fire Hall 3 – Thickwood |
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Fire Hall 4 – Timberlea |
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Fire Hall 5 – Saprae Creek Trail |
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Rural Fire Departments
There are currently six rural volunteer fire departments within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. These volunteer fire departments are operated by volunteer firefighters who are trained to NFPA standards. The dedicated individuals that volunteer their time are from their community and respond to emergencies when their services are required.
Regional Emergency Services Volunteer Fire Departments operate in the following communities: