Discussions

I would suggest you hang on to the box of clothes, I am sure you can still give the box to the fort mac community. Or,Samaritan house will take them. You put the clothes in the red bins around town as well. Maybe westman immigration services will take the box.

We are holding a garage sale at 116 Fraser Cres Friday 3-6 and Saturday 8-4 of our own items and donated items. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross through Safeway or Sobeys who is matching all donations. Any leftovers will be disbursed amongst local charities. My hubby and I both work for emergency services and have credible references if required. The donation receipt will be posted.  
Donations can be dropped off at 116 Fraser Cres. I will be picking up in Wawanesa/Shilo Monday morning. And Ninette/Killarney on the 11th.  
Text 761-4472 (Amy) is best. Or email mdczamrd116@gmail.com

I'm not sure if the local/provincial government HAS to declare a state of emergency in order to get CAF assistance. I do KNOW, through taking a course put on by EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) MB that the reason a local gov't declares a state of emergency is so that it give that level of gov't more powers/abilities. And (this point inferred) then access to more services/financial aid.  
 
As to the point of why isn't the CAF involved (which was disproven by the linked article), or more involved, is because the municipality/provincial gov't has to "pay" for it. The vehicles and equipment that the CAF would bring (other than the helicopters and planes already there, which are well suited to this type of operation) are for the most part not suited to Fire Fighting. Armoured veh's are VERY FUEL INEFFICIENT and in a remote area where the locals are struggling to get people out and supplies in, pushing very large amounts of supplies in to "feed the green machine" would be counter productive. All this to say that if it gets to the point where the Prov of AB asks for (more) help because they have exhausted the resources they have that ARE suited to fighting Forest fires, the CAF will deploy and help with what they can.  
 
And although the military does have a relatively large labour force which could be used. This is "unskilled" labour. (Unskilled, in this case for Fire Fighting). The army can quickly and easily help out in floods because filling, stacking, carrying/transporting sand bags is something they have done a lot of during exercises, and even if they haven't, or when including the other elements (Air and Navy) it's not that much of a skill to "learn". HOWEVER, Wildland Fire Fighting, in heavily forested areas is not something you "just know" or can learn "on the fly". A full, proper, Wildland Fire Fighting Basic course is a week of instruction and practical training.

Please Post this:  
 
This is for Irish citizens who reside in Fort Mac and Irish citizens who work in any of the evacuated places but live somewhere else. The Edmonton Irish Sports & Social Society is having a rep from the Irish Embassy to assist with all enquiries in regards to their Visa Status and lost passports. This will start on Monday from 4 pm to 8 pm every day that week. The Irish Club/Centre is located at 12546 - 126 Street NW. Any questions or anyone in need of assistance you can contact the Irish Club/Centre at (780) 453-2249 or Martin Doyle at (587) 337-8737. Also we have a fb group page: Irish Sports & Social Society. Website: edmontonirishclub.ca.  
edmontonirishclub.ca  
The Irish Embassy will have a representative in Edmonton starting Monday to help any Irish people affected by the wildfires in Fort McMurray.  
EDMONTONIRISHCLUB.CA

Trevor B said "the Province has to declare a State of Emergency before the military can participate. "

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/evacuation-order-expanded-ahead-of-fort-mcmurray-fire-1.2887111

themcds said " I am currently organizing a garage sale of our items and donated items to raise money for Fort McMurray and surrounding areas through the Red Cross. Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. The garage sale will take place May 13th and 14th at 116 Fraser Cres and any remaining items will be disbursed amongst our local charities. Our total monetary donation will be made through Sobeys who is matching all donations and a donation receipt will be posted! (If you''''re skeptical please PM me and I''''ll be happy to answer any questions or provide references)     Edited by themcds, 2016-05-04 22:46:32 "

Thanks to everyone who donated. We raised $900 between the sale and donations. We have a few items we will attempt to sell online over the next few days but as it stands we will be donating $800 to the Red Cross which will be matched by Safeway for a total of $1600. $100 donation will be made to the Fort McMurray United Way. I've made arrangements to donate what's leftover to the YWCA, Elspeith Reid Centre, Salvation Army and Value Village.  
 
I need a few days to get everything organized and will post the receipt then. Thanks again to everyone