Fort McMurray wildfire: Maritime firefighters ready to head west to help

As efforts continue to control the massive and growing wildfire in Alberta, attention is turning to those fighting the blaze.

Not only is it a dangerous and demanding job, but some are doing it in the midst of their own losses.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Fire grows to 85,000 hectares, no timeline on resident return

Glenn Sullivan, the president of the Atlantic Provinces Professional Firefighters Association, says he’s heard of at least nine firefighters in the Fort McMurray area who have lost their homes to the fire.

“The hard part in the emergency services is that often times, when there’s a major disaster, the firefighters and the other emergency responders are out addressing those concerns and aren’t able to address their own emergencies at home,” Sullivan said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The hard part in the emergency services is that often times, when there's a major disaster, the firefighters and the other emergency responders are out addressing those concerns and aren't able to address their own emergencies at home," Sullivan said.

Firefighters on the east coast are being encouraged to donate to a special fund set up by the International Association of Firefighters, which will go directly to members battling the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area.

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The desire to help extends beyond financial aid. Firefighters in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have expressed interest and eagerness to head west and join in the efforts.

“A lot of our firefighters, both career and volunteer, have reached out to me personally and have asked if we’re going to be sending any assistance out there,” said Deputy Chief Brian Gray of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services.

“They certainly would be more than willing to participate in whatever assistance we provide.”

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Nova Scotia at the ready to send firefighters, aid

However, Alberta has not requested personnel from the Maritime provinces yet and people are cautioned against going before being asked.

“I’ve had a lot of inquiries with respect to wanting to go out and wanting to help but I would caution any first responder to just wait until that request goes out because if you self deploy, you run the risk of creating further issues surrounding logistics,” said Sullivan.

“I would say, just wait right now. We’ve been in touch with Alberta firefighters and when the need arises, they will contact us.”

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Meanwhile, the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have also offered their assistance to Alberta.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Maritimers eager to aid evacuees

Zach Churchill, the minister responsible for Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office, says crews are on standby and ready to be deployed.

As well, New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources has been preparing equipment they can send to crews in Alberta should they need them.

Roger Collet, a fire prevention officer with the department, says it’s easy to empathize with what the firefighters are experiencing in Fort McMurray.

“It’s definitely a drain on them to go day after day for long hours,” he said. “But I think in a sense you do go into overdrive where you seem to find that extra strength to keep going and I’m sure at some point, they can definitely use a good rest.”