'People are on edge': Lessons learned after 2023 wildfire and flood evacuations in Edson
People living in Edson were forced to flee their homes twice last spring.
"We refer to them as emergencies one, two and three," said Edson's Mayor, Kevin Zahara.
The town 195 kilometres west of Edmonton was evacuated twice due to wildfires, then was hit by flooding.
"We're approaching the one-year anniversary of what occurred in our community and it's very dry outside," Zahara said.
"People are on edge," he said, adding "we just cross our fingers that we don't have to face the same sort of situation."
But if they do, Zahara said the town is in a better position to deal with it.
The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
An 'after action report' was completed, which outlined things the municipality needed to work on.
Zahara said prior to the 2023 evacuations, none of the town's staff had any formal training to deal with emergencies.
"All of our staff now have some sort of training in incident command response, and we also have a number of employees that have advanced training now," he said.
Through donations from industry, he said the Edson Fire Department has more equipment to respond to wildfires this year.
"As well, we are in the process of procuring a structural protection unit for our fire department," said Zahara.
"It was actually in the budget last year prior to the wildfires, but unfortunately, we did not have it acquired in time."
Emergency social services training was also offered to volunteers in the event Edson becomes an evacuation location.
Through a grant, the town was also able to clear trees and debris to reduce wildifre risk.
Zahara said even residents are preparing for whatever this wildfire season brings.
"They have an emergency kit ready to go. There's others that have saved up funds, that are concerned they might have to be evacuated again and what kind of financial impact that's going to have on them," he said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Purolator truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. save man walking in Hwy. 407 lanes
A pair of Purolator transport truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. are being hailed as heroes for their efforts in helping a person in crisis.
Trudeau responds to American senators calling on Canada to increase defence spending
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.