Be the Helping Hand When It Matters Most
Have you ever wanted to help during an evacuation or emergency – but weren’t sure how? Join a team —a group of people just like you who want to make a difference who step up in a crisis.
What do ESS volunteers do?
You’ll work with municipal responders to help people who have evacuated their homes due to disasters like wildfires, floods, or other emergencies. Your role could include:
- Helping evacuees find emergency shelter
- Providing food, clothing, and basic necessities
- Offering care, comfort, and reassurance
- Helping reunite families after an evacuation
Whether it’s welcoming evacuees at a reception centre, helping organize accommodation, or ensuring families have essentials they need, your support will be invaluable.
Recent Response Efforts
- Assisted more than 260 evacuees during the 2023 NWT wildfires
- More than 350 volunteers supported displaced people during the 2023 Fort Chipewyan Wildfire Evacuation, with more than 2000 volunteer hours completed.
- During the 2024 wildfire evacuations of more than 6,600 people from Fort McMurray, more than 45 local and partner community volunteers and Emergency Social Services staff supported evacuees at the Lac La Biche and Cold Lake registration centres, with many more supporting in Edmonton.
A Rewarding Experience
Knowing what to do and being able to help others during an emergency is an important and valuable reason to join the ESS team.
As a member, you will have access to courses including valuable training offered through the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA).
You will build your knowledge and confidence and develop relationships with others who share the same passion for giving back to their community.
Frequently asked questions
| What experience or education do I need to join? |
| No experience or education is required. A willing attitude and a caring personality is all that is needed. Training will be provided. Please note, a criminal record check will be required. |
| What time commitment is involved? |
| Members take part in three meetings/exercises a year and are only activated to assist during emergencies/incidents. |
| Does it matter where I live in the Municipality? |
| It doesn’t. We need volunteers from every community in the municipality to help. |
| I have more questions. Can I reach out to someone? |
| Email ess@rmwb.ca or call the municipal Pulse line at 780-743-7000 (toll free 1-800-973-9663) and someone from our Emergency Management team will contact you. |