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The Emergency Social Services (ESS) team is looking for dedicated community members to help during emergencies.
ESS volunteers work with municipal responders to assist people during times of crisis like wildfires, floods, and other emergencies. Volunteers may be involved in everything from helping families find emergency shelter to providing necessities for those in need.
“People in this region help each other when there’s trouble,” says Erin Sieger, Manager, Emergency Management. “If you are able and interested, this is an important and rewarding way you can assist.”
ESS members go into action during emergencies
In 2023, the team supported displaced people from Fort Chipewyan during the Rocky River Wildfire Evacuation, with more than 2000 volunteer hours completed. Later that summer, the team helped several hundred wildfire evacuees from the Northwest Territories.
During the 2024 wildfire evacuations of more than 6,600 people from Fort McMurray, ESS members supported evacuees at registration centres in Lac La Biche and Cold Lake, with many more supporting in Edmonton.
Valuable training opportunities available
Team members take part in two or three training exercises a year and are eligible for other valuable courses through the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. People from all communities in the Municipality are eligible to join. No experience is needed.
To learn more and apply, visit rmwb.ca/ESSVolunteer and fill out the application form. For more information call 780-743-7000, or toll-free at 1-800-973-9663.
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