EDMONTON – Nine newborns from the neonatal intensive care unit at Fort McMurray’s Northern Lights Regional Health Centre were evacuated Tuesday as the entire community was forced to flee due to a raging wildfire.
The babies and their mothers were among 105 patients and continuing care clients who were forced to flee the wildfire within a two-hour time period.
Alberta Heath Services care teams accompanied the patients to an oilsands site north of Fort McMurray, then a WestJet 737 plane flew them to Edmonton Tuesday night. Some flew on Wednesday morning. According to AHS, all are now safe in hospitals and nursing homes in and around Edmonton.
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Dr. Verna Yiu said, despite heavy smoke and busy roads, everyone got out safely.
“I have to say I’m really grateful and very proud of our staff,” said the interim AHS President and CEO. “If you can imagine our staff actually working and evacuating in two hours, 105 patients and clients… It took a lot of coordination not only in the Fort McMurray area, but also in coordination with Edmonton and the provincial services.”
“And don’t forget those employees and staff also had their families to worry about.”
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Evacuees staying in work camps, homes and temporary shelters around Alberta
Those health care workers have been placed in 92 hotel rooms in Edmonton.
Evacuees in need of health care services can access them in three camps in Anzac, Firebag and area. According to Yiu, EMS, nurses, pharmacists and mental health professionals are ready to help. Edmonton’s Northlands evacuation site is also providing health services.
Watch below: Dramatic ongoing video coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfire