PrintUNA ‘enormously proud’ of nurses and other emergency responders in Jasper
Union will do everything it can to support its members impacted by wildfire
United Nurses of Alberta is deeply saddened by the destructive fire that reached the Jasper townsite Wednesday evening and is enormously proud of the nurses and other health care workers who courageously demonstrated their unwavering commitment to their patients and their community as the flames approached.
After acute care patients were evacuated to safety earlier this week, a few nurses from UNA Local 75 remained to maintain emergency services at Alberta Health Services’ Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre until the fire closed in on the community.
“We are grateful for the courage of our members who remained as long as they could, as well as that of firefighters and other emergency workers,” UNA Secretary-Treasurer Christina Doktor said today. “We will do everything we can to support our members through this incredibly difficult time.”
Late Wednesday, Parks Canada confirmed that significant loss had occurred within the townsite when all emergency responders except the most critical structural firefighters had been ordered to leave the community because of the danger.
On Monday, the 4,500 residents of the National Park community and thousands of summer visitors were ordered to leave Jasper, with most heading to towns in British Columbia.
More than 17,500 people are thought to have been forced to flee their homes throughout Alberta because of the wildfires in Jasper and elsewhere.
In addition to Jasper townsite and Jasper National Park, evacuation orders remain in effect in Little Red River Cree Nation, Chipewyan Lake, and parts of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, and residents of other communities are on evacuation alert.
With Parks Canada reporting significant losses within the Jasper townsite, the status of the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre remains uncertain.
More information for UNA members affected by the wildfires is found here.
United Nurses of Alberta will update this information with links to any new posts on social media or the AHS website as they become available.
Members who have concerns about employment issues, how they will be paid during the disruption, accessing paid leave if necessary, mandated work during days off, travel expenses and other assistance are also welcome to call UNA staff at 1-800-252-9394 or contact their union through social media.
The Canadian Red Cross is now accepting donations to assist people impacted by wildfires in Jasper and other areas of Alberta. Donations to the Red Cross will contribute to ongoing relief including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Alberta.
