April 20, 2023
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is working with local agencies to reduce the frequency and consequences of fires in encampments.
This innovative program provides fire prevention education to individuals living in encampments. The information is provided by outreach workers who engage with encampment occupants.
“Proactive measures to keep our community members safe is incredibly valuable to the work that we do,” said Candace Noble, Director of Housing and Outreach at Bissell Centre. “Our goal is to end the need for encampments with access to safe and affordable housing. While we work towards that, we are so thankful for the support of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services for providing practical educational tools to increase the safety of encampment residents and their neighbours.”
Since February, EFRS has educated 119 members of partner agencies including outreach workers from Bissell Centre, Edmonton Police Service and City of Edmonton Park Rangers on fire prevention and safety methods specific to the needs of those living in encampments. In addition to the in-person educational sessions, resources were provided, including posters highlighting fire safety specific to encampments and fire safety checklists to help workers onsite at encampments identify fire risks and offer solutions that reduce the potential of fires.
"Edmonton Fire Rescue Services’ fire safety education program for encampments is one component of the City’s evolving encampment response,” noted Fire Chief Joe Zatylny. “This is exceptional work which is being led by our Fire Prevention Team, and it is an example of how the City is bringing together the necessary service areas to mitigate encampment safety risks and improve the well-being of encampment occupants and those responding to them.”
The fire safety education program is part of the City of Edmonton’s newly released enhanced encampment response plan. The lessons learned from this project will be used to improve the program and applied to other projects within the City’s encampment response.
