AEMA Summit 2011Lesser Slave Lake Regional

Wildfire Response and Recovery

Brandy Cox

Director, Slave Lake Recovery

Alberta Municipal Affairs

Mark Hoosein

Business Continuity/ Consequence Management

Officer

Alberta Infrastructure

Introduction

• Impacts of the Wildfire • Government Support of the Recovery• Long Term Recovery• Governance and Oversight of the Response and Recovery

Process

Impacts of the Wildfire

Wildfire Impacts

• Approximately 14,300 residents of the Town of Slave Lake, Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124, Sawridge First Nation and surrounding communities were evacuated for over two weeks.

• 372 homes and 6 apartment blocks were destroyed.• 732 households were displaced.

– 260 households were non-insured (mostly in rental accommodations)

• Insurance estimates are

$700 million in claims.

Wildfire Impacts

• Evacuation Centers:– Thousands of Slave Lake residents fled their fire ravaged town, to

temporary evacuation centers in Athabasca, Westlock, Boyle and Edmonton.

Recovery Zone

Government Support of the Recovery

Slave Lake Recovery

• Treasury Board approved a total of $289 million to support response and recovery efforts in the Lesser Slave Region.

• Key programs form the Government of Alberta’s response to this unprecedented disaster:– $125.3 million Disaster Recovery Program;– $56.7 million Community Stabilization Funding;– $42.8 million Interim Housing Project;– $64.2 million Lesser Slave Lake Regional Recovery Plan; and– funds already committed to Slave Lake through regular GoA

business processes.

Lesser Slave Lake Regional Recovery - Total Funding

Disaster Recovery Program; $125,302,550

Community Stabilization; $56,700,000

Interim Housing Project, $42,800,000

Regional Recovery Plan; $64,230,000

Disaster Recovery Program$125.3 million

• Includes 17 projects that are directly related to the short term response and recovery efforts following the fire.

• A portion of the funds spent through the Disaster Recovery Program are eligible to be reimbursed through the Federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

Community Stabilization$56.7 million

• These funds were primarily expensed the short term provincial government programs and projects which were not eligible under the Disaster Recovery Program.

• Examples include the EI assistance debit cards which were distributed to evacuees and the subsidization of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation business loans.

Interim Housing Project

• The Interim Housing Project is a major piece of the GOA-led recovery effort.

• Alberta Infrastructure and the former ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs collaborated to develop and service two sites: Lot 78 and Lot 88, now known as Sunset Place and Phoenix Heights.

• One other site was held in reserve if needed (ball diamonds site, now know as Fournier Place)

Interim Housing Project

• Original target to provide 350 interim housing units. Today, the required amount of housing units stands at 189 to house 269 households.

• The project is a partnership between the Town of Slave Lake, the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River and the Government of Alberta to provide interim housing units to displaced residents.

• Municipal Affairs is procuring the units and in collaboration with the Town and MD, will determine the priority for interim homes to be allocated.– Rents are set at average pre-fire rates for Slave Lake

• Infrastructure has project managed the preparation of the sites for the units and completed the installation of utility hook-ups and skirting for the units.

Interim Housing Numbers Update

• 269 households require interim housing• 189 manufactured housing units are required, including 28

duplex units to accommodate 29 singles in shared accommodation

• 222 units are installed – 166 are occupied – 56 are in the process for utility hook-up or resident walk through

• 11 units are scheduled for delivery in the coming week

Project Requirements

• The project plan included the following expected work:

– Offsite work including engineering drawings, unit procurement and construction plans.

– Site Grading and Services include: clearing, grubbing, backfill and land servicing.

– Unit installation, utility hook-up including: power, sewer, skirting, stairs and phone and television accessibility.

– Maintenance of all units and site for two years.

Interim Housing Project vs. Normal Timelines

Tasks Normal Timelines Interim Housing Project Timeline

Engineering Plans 6-8 months 15 days

Site Grading and Services 3-4 months 35 days

Unit Delivery and Utility Hookup 20-25 days per phase 10 days per phase

Stairs and Skirting 10-15 days per phase 5 days per phase

Town of Slave LakeLot Development Locations

Lot 78

Lot 88

Ball Diamonds

Lot 78 Occupancy Contracto

rAccess

Resident

Access

Phase 2 – 33 Units

Phase 1 – 22 UnitsPhase 3 – 17 Units

Phase 4 – 27 Units

102 lots have been developed

74 units placed

Lot 88 Planned Occupancy

Phase 1 – 30 Units

Phase 2 – 30 Units

Phase 3 – 20 Units

Phase 4 – Not used

Phase 5 – Not used

Emergency/Contractor

Access

Resident

Access

90 lots have been developed

86 units placed

Ball Diamonds

• This land was originally the best alternative to providing an interim housing solution.

• As the project has advanced, lots 78 and 88 provided a faster solution.

• Development to be completed and this site will be used a contingency plan in case more space is required.

Interim Housing Allocation Procedure

• Interim Housing units will be allocated in the following priority:

1. Medical Health services, RCMP, Fire services, Utility services, Municipal services and some Provincial services, K-12 Education Staff

2. Families with School age children

3. Families with Pre-school age children

4. Couples & Singles, Self established groups of singles• Mobile homes will be allocated using a computer generated

random selection process for the above groups.

Project Scope

• Rents will be charged for these units:

• Two Bedroom Interim Housing Units: $1,000.00 per month • Three Bedroom Interim Housing Units: $1,200.00 per month • Four Bedroom Interim Housing Units: $1,250.00 per month

• Housing manage the rental of the units in accordance with the Landlord Tenancy Act.

Town Considerations

• Fire Protection• Highway Safety Pedestrian Crossing• Garbage Collection• Postal Service• Green Space/Parks

Regional Wildfire Recovery Plan

• Objective: To return the region to its pre-disaster state while ensuring that communities are not socially, environmentally, and economically disadvantaged by the wildfire event and are well positioned for future growth.

• Vision:“Slave Lake is the jewel of Alberta, where you come for a job and stay for the lifestyle”

Regional Wildfire Recovery Plan

• The Regional Wildfire Recovery Plan will:

– Fund 17 projects for a total of $64.2 Million

– Establish a framework for long term recovery of the community

Regional Recovery PlanGuiding Principles

• Regional focus• Resident focus• Sustainability• Service Hub • Timeliness• Fairness• Preserve culture • Preserve vision • Resiliency• Model

Regional Recovery PlanStakeholders

• Individuals and families• Local governments• Businesses• Non-government organizations• Red Cross• Government of Alberta• Federal government

Regional Recovery PlanRecovery Planning Framework

PEOPLE• The highest priority is the overall physical, mental and social

well-being of the residents of the Lesser Slave Lake region. People focuses on these aspects and ensures that the right resources are in place to support the community’s needs.– Safety – Health – Social well-being

Regional Recovery PlanRecovery Planning Framework (continued)

ENVIRONMENT• The Lesser Slave Lake region wildfires had significant impacts

on the environment as a result of forest and urban destruction and from response activities such as firebreaks or the use of fire suppressants/retardants .– Biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources – Amenities– Waste and pollution management

Regional Recovery PlanRecovery Planning Framework (continued)

RECONSTRUCTION• The disaster affected approximately one-quarter of the Town of

Slave Lake and a large number of properties in the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. Damaged infrastructure included residential, commercial and public buildings as well as utilities. Prioritizing the needs of the community on a social and economic basis has to be taken into account for the re-establishment of a viable, attractive and sustainable community.– Residential, commercial and public buildings – Utilities

Regional Recovery PlanRecovery Planning Framework (continued)

ECONOMY• The economic recovery of the region will help to ensure that

people, business and industry, infrastructure and government in the region are able to return to normal. The plan will support the return of economic health in the region, and will help to enhance the economy and offset economic disadvantages experienced as a direct result of the disaster. – Individuals– Business– Infrastructure, communications and transport planning– Government

Regional Recovery PlanRecovery Planning Framework (continued)

Indicators of Successful Recovery

Indicator Target

PEOPLE

Population Overall population in 2015 is consistent with the 2010 census data plus a growth based on historical and current local and provincial population rate information

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Parameters Soil, air, water and biodiversity monitoring show that there have been no long-term adverse impacts to the region due to the wildfire.

RECONSTRUCTION

Rebuild All destroyed or damaged structures have been rebuilt and growth rate for the community has been re-established.

ECONOMY

Employment Rate Regional employment in 2015 is consistent with local historical reference and to provincial rates

Regional Recovery Plan – Approved ProjectsPeople• $0.59 million Replacement of Firefighting Resources• $2 million Comprehensive Assessment of Health Services• $0.05 million Commemorative Monument• $1.5 million Municipal Support• $3.6 million Evacuation Centre • $2 million Intersection Upgrade (Hwy 88 - Hwy 2)

Reconstruction• $0.30 million Performance Monitoring• $1.5 million Widewater Firehall • $0.25 million Off-Site Levies and Permitting Re-Imbursement• $20 million FireSmart Initiatives• $1.0 million Ball Diamond

Regional Recovery Plan – Approved Projects continued…

Economy• $6 million Tax Relief and Revenue Stabilization• $0.9 million Economic Development Support• $20 million Increased Water Supply • $2.5 million Mitsue Fire Station Construction• $1.0 million Regional Green Transit

Environment• $1.0 million Berm

Governance and Oversight of the Response and Recovery Process

Recovery Governance Model

Tri-Council

• The Tri-Council– Town of Slave Lake– Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124– Sawridge First Nation

• The municipalities and the First Nation have formed a closer working relationship in order to effectively address the impacts of the wildfires.

• The Tri-Council meets regularly to oversee the recovery process.

Slave Lake Recovery Task Force

• The Task Force provides provincial oversight and coordination of recovery efforts.

• Ministries:– Municipal Affairs– Infrastructure– Finance– Health and Wellness– Treasury Board and Enterprise– Others as required

• Four Key Themes– Financial Support– Housing (interim and permanent)– Recovery Plan– Donations

– International, Intergovernmentaland Aboriginal Relations

– Human Services– Executive Council– Public Affairs Bureau

Regional Recovery Coordination Group (RRCG)

• The RRCG was formed to maintain continuity and coordination of the recovery efforts in the years after the wildfires.

• The formation and operation of the RRCG is funded as a project under the Regional Recovery Plan.

• RRCG staff are employed or contracted by the provincial government to work with the Tri-Council and stakeholders in the impacted communities.

Long Term Recovery

• The stress of the wildfire disaster and response has had an impact on the physical, social and economic health of people in the region.

• These impacts are often difficult to identify and analyze, much less measure quantitatively.

• A number of responses are underway to ensure that the supports are in place to address the physical, social and economic issues people face.

Implementation

• The Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths visits Slave Lake.

Community Wellness Team

• The Town of Slave Lake has formed a Community Wellness Team to bring together social service providers, municipal staff and the Regional Recovery Coordination Group.

• This Team meets monthly to identify and assess emerging social needs in the community.

Alberta Supports

• A pilot single intake process centre for community support needs was planned for the Town of Slave Lake prior to the wildfire.

• The pilot process assigned a single caseworker to each client for a variety of support needs.

• This integrated Alberta Supports centre is operational although currently all support services are not located at a single location.

• This Alberta Supports centre is a key site to obtain and assess information on the needs of residents.

Social Supports Working Group

• The Slave Lake Recovery Task Force initiated the Social Supports Working Group to focus on the emerging social needs which were instigated or negatively impacted by the wildfire disaster.

• Representatives of social services ministries as well as some agencies and the Red Cross meet regularly to discuss issues and determine avenues for action.

Canadian Red Cross

• The Red Cross appeal for the victims of the Alberta wildfires reports donations of $3.7 million, and continues receive donations for this appeal.

• Red Cross remains on the scene to help address longer-term needs, such as the rebuilding of lives and communities and reducing vulnerability to future disasters. 

Canadian Red Cross continued…

• In northern Alberta, approximately $1 million has been spent.

• Expenditures include delivery of the stress reduction workshop, aboriginal outreach programs, and violence and abuse prevention programs.

• Direct aid spending includes:– $181,000 for household goods;– $187,000 for food;– $101,000 in clothing;– $25,000 to help with occupational needs such as tools, work boots,

coveralls; and – $32,000 in emergency lodging.

Next Steps

• Project funding for the Recovery Plan will be available for release to the municipalities shortly.

• The municipalities will develop the scope, milestones and budget for each project, in collaboration with stakeholders.

• It is expected that projects will be completed over the course of the next three years.

• The Government of Alberta will continue to monitor the recovery process through the Regional Recovery Coordination Group, the Slave Lake Recovery Task Force and regular ministry programs.

Recognition Video

Questions?