Edmonton – Dozens of Edmonton fire fighters are describing their time in Calgary as surreal.
The group returned home Wednesday night after spending several days helping Calgary crews with search and rescue, cleaning up neighbourhoods, and helping people get back in their homes.
“The most startling thing is many neighbourhoods are without power, particularly the downtown core. And when you’re working an evening shift, it’s completely dark,” says Station Captain Walter Gahler, Edmonton Fire Rescue.
The 60 Edmonton fire fighters went to Calgary Sunday. A call for help was made at 7 that morning, and by 11 a.m., a full crew had volunteered to head down.
The men and women were tired when they returned, but they say it was well worth it.
“Any chance we get to help people at all, and to be able to help the citizens of Calgary in any way we can, is really, really satisfying, It’s what we train for, it’s what we do,” says Gahler.
Gahler describes the experience as inspirational.
“The volunteer turnout in Calgary is incredible. People coming together by the thousands to help out. It really brings the best of people together,” says Gahler.
E-P-S members, Epcor crews and safety code officers have also been helping in the region since last week.
Additional fire fighters may still make their way down south in the future to offer more support during the clean-up.
With files from Ross Neitz