Four hospitals, 22 ambulances, six planes, two helicopters: The CFB Wainwright evacuation effort

Already stretched, Alberta’s hospital system got a terrifying workout in the wake of Saturday’s devastating explosion at the CAF training base in Wainwright, Alta.

An armada of emergency vehicles from two provinces went into swift action with a unified response, with EHS-Alberta direct delivery and contracted service partners in both Alberta and Saskatchewan,.

“EHS-Alberta deployed 30 units directly into Wainwright, including 22 ground ambulances, six fixed-wing and two rotary wing units,” said Shannon Shimek, executive director of communications for Acute Care Alberta,

Designated a “Code Orange,” active emergency response was sustained across the system for more than 10 hours, with patients transported to and receiving care at facilities across the entire province, she said.

“Specifically, as of today, patients were transferred from Wainwright Healthcare Centre to four facilities: the University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital (in Edmonton), Foothills Medical Centre (in Calgary) and Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre,” Shimek said.

The Code Orange emergency activation was over by mid-day Sunday, but pressure remained as those wounded surviving the massive blast at the Canadian Forces training base were treated.

“It is anticipated that care for patients impacted by this incident will be intensive and will add to existing high demand on acute care in Alberta,” she said, noting “additional localized staffing pressures in the Wainwright and Flagstaff County areas.”

Acute Care Alberta is the provincial agency responsible for the governance and co-ordination of acute care services across the province.

Shimek said the healthcare system’s emergency response provided seamless and exceptional care in the most trying of circumstances.

“The coordinated response demonstrated the dedication, professionalism and compassion of healthcare teams and first responders. We extend our sincere gratitude to the physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, emergency responders and leaders who worked tirelessly under extraordinarily difficult circumstances to ensure patients received the care they needed,” she said.

“Our focus remains on supporting patients, families and healthcare providers as the recovery continues.”

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