A former firehall in Edmonton has been transformed into a Rapid Emergency Support Terminal (REST) that can accommodate up to 200 people and offer essential services such as:
- Registration for accommodations
- Access to food and water
- Rest areas
- Pet kenneling
Operational Readiness
The terminal is designed to be operational within an hour’s notice if needed. City Manager Eddie Robar stated, “We have over 1,100 firefighters with 56 fire apparatuses across the city at any given time.” In addition to firefighters, hundreds of city staff members have received training to assist with emergency responses at REST.
These trained staff members will work alongside firefighters at the terminal to provide critical support services during emergencies.
Services Offered at REST
When activated by Emergency Management Alberta (EMA) during an emergency situation, REST will provide:
- Registration for accommodations
- Access to food and water
- Rest areas
- Pet kenneling
- Laundry facilities
- Showers and bathrooms (including baby changing stations)
- Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the facility, including mobile charging stations for electronic devices
- Medical assistance from paramedics on-site or via phone call from EMA medical personnel
Funding and Location
The terminal was built using $4 million in funding from Emergency Management Alberta (EMA), provided through the federal government’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program after wildfires ravaged parts of Alberta in June last year. The facility is located near Edmonton International Airport on Airport Road North.
Activation and Additional Resources
Robar expects EMA officials will activate REST during large-scale evacuations due to wildfires or other emergencies requiring mass sheltering needs outside of regular shelters run by non-profit organizations such as The Mustard Seed Society or Boyle Street Community Services.
In addition to providing essential services during emergencies, Edmonton also offers several resources for residents affected by disasters:
- Free Sandbags: The City provides free sandbags for residents affected by flooding.
- Available for pickup between May 15th and September 30th each year.
- Pickup times: Monday through Friday, noon to 5 PM.
- Residents must bring their own shovel.
- Sandbag pickup locations include:
- Northgate Arena parking lot: open daily until October 1st
- Northlands Park parking lot: open daily until October 1st
- Mill Woods Recreation Centre parking lot: open Monday-Friday until September 30th
- Southwest Leisure Centre parking lot: open Monday-Friday until September 30th
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