Wainwright mayor, reeve praise town's 'little' hospital in wake of base tragedy

WAINWRIGHT — There is no doubt that the aftermath of the fire at CFB Wainwright would have overwhelmed any emergency ward in Canada. No hospital is truly prepared to handle dozens of fire victims at one time.

So it was fitting that tributes poured in for staff in a health centre as small as Wainwright’s.

But, local politicians and residents have long been asking for the health centre to be expanded. In 2014, there was a postcard-writing campaign launched by advocates and residents, trying to bring attention to a facility built in 1971, but even then needed an upgrade.

Brandon Simmons and Eric Priche, both residents in the health centre’s long-term care wing, saw what unfolded Saturday night. They said the ward was “overwhelmed.”

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh lauded the work of doctors and nurses at the “little” health centre.

“I think those of you who have had a chance to to stand outside those doors, to see the work that goes on inside, it’s work that’ll be praised for years to come. These people who, similar to our first responders, are serving people they know. They’re  not accustomed to such traumatic injuries, but more than rose to the occasion. When when we speak that there are angels among us, you’re witnessing it.”

Municipal District of Wainwright Reeve Mike Wildeboer said health centre staff “faced an incredibly difficult and unprecedented situation, and they rose to the occasion with professionalism, compassion, and resolve.”

Pugh said that the health centre needs attention, but said that need has been proven over the years. It can’t be judged by one extraordinary event.

“I think what we’ve seen is is the region’s reliance on Wainwright and our local community hospital has grown,” he said. “It has grown in time.”

He said the hospital staff are “second to none, and I don’t state that lightly.”

But he said the health centre needs attention.

“In terms of working towards a new infrastructure or a new plan, that’s something where we are we are exploring every option we can. We’re very fortunate that we have our MLA, who is very dedicated to this region and serving the people of it.

“How do you know how a fire extinguisher works until you have to use it? We had an emergency situation last night. I very confidently state that everybody who worked in that hospital rose to that occasion. They did what needed to be done. How could you build a facility for an event of that magnitude? You just can’t. So, in in the days and weeks to come, there will be armchair quarterbacks and and lots of coulda, woulda, shouldas. But I I know that we will continue to work with with our partners in the MD. We’ll continue to work with our partners in the federal and provincial governments to best meet the needs of this community.”

Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell said he’s already spoken to Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Adrian LaGrange about pressing needs.

“The next step is to restock and supply all the hospitals with all the stuff that they used up during during the event,” Rowsell said.

“I felt that this there was good co-operation with the federal government. It’s kind of their base, and we have the resources to help out, so we worked very closely with them, and and in the end, I think it went as about as well as it could, as bad as an event as it was.”

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