The Canadian Red Cross estimated that over 500 Jasper households have come through the Re-Entry Support Centre as of mid-afternoon on Friday (Aug. 16).
Residents have begun returning to Jasper more than three weeks after wildfires forced them to evacuate.
Many are stopping at the Re-Entry Support Centre in the middle of town to speak with the Municipality of Jasper and service providers, and collect clean-up supplies and blankets to begin their next step.
“There is great attendance by both service providers, and [we] have exceeded our expectations for attendance from residents from the Jasper townsite, so we’re really pleased about that,” said Melanie Soler, vice president of emergency management at the Canadian Red Cross.
The Re-Entry Support Centre is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Commemoration Park (1324 Pyramid Lake Road), and agency representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“As people walk through the entry gate, they’re greeted immediately by some familiar faces from the Municipality of Jasper, and they can immediately come in and have a cup of coffee,” Soler said.
“They can pick up their clean-up kit, some blankets, N95 masks, the kids can pick up a teddy bear and they can look around the site to see what services are offered.”
These services include mental health support, utilities, internet, insurance, Alberta government supports and Red Cross supports.
There will also be representation from Alberta Health Services, Parks Canada, Tourism Jasper, the Salvation Army and Community Futures West Yellowhead.
Team Rubicon Canada will also be there to provide information.
Residents whose properties were destroyed will be able to speak to them and book an appointment to sift through their property with the Team’s assistance.
Only trained professionals, such as Team Rubicon or insurance representatives, are permitted to go behind the fencing placed around damaged properties.
“You kind of have a diverse crowd all co-located there with lots of space,” Soler said.
“That's all surrounding an open space where residents can gather together and visit and share experiences or reunite. It's kind of a real community-space feeling where you have lots of people who haven't seen each other for a while, and lots of friendly emotional reunions.”
Having responded to events and incidents all over Canada, Soler said what was unusual about Jasper’s situation was the level of collaboration between the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada and Alberta Emergency Management.
She said service providers and non-governmental organizations have come together for Jasper.
“It's really a true demonstration that as these events become more complicated, as they become more severe, it does take a whole-society approach to be able to provide the solution and the information that people need to begin their recovery,” she said.
Soler added that the Canadian Red Cross would stay in the community as long as necessary.
Donations to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal can be made online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
The federal and provincial governments will match every donation made by individual Canadians through Aug. 24.
Residents can also find information about Red Cross services on its website.
