Wildfire Updates

AVENS- A Community for Seniors Wildfire Task Force response to our 2023NWT Wildfire Evacuation Lessons Learned and Recommendations findings

Executive Summary

In the spring of 2024, AVENS - A Community for Seniors took significant steps to address the lessons learned and recommendations stemming from the previous year's wildfire evacuation. Through the establishment of a dedicated "Wildfire Task Force" comprised of senior members of our team, we have implemented various actions to enhance our emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

Key initiatives include ongoing collaborative debriefs with relevant stakeholders to share reflections and lessons learned, discussions with GNWT and the City of Yellowknife to review and expand the emergency plan, and the development of evacuation checklists and communication protocols. Additionally, although we have every reason to believe the GNWT will assume lead in any or all future full-scale evacuations in the NWT, our efforts remain to maintain inventories of hotels, contractors, and specialized services for potential evacuations, as well as to coordinate aircraft logistics and medical support during emergencies.

These proactive measures underscore AVENS' commitment to continuously improving our emergency response strategies and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and staff in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Summary of the key points and initiatives

Based on the recommendations and actions approved by the Wildfire Task Force of AVENS - A Community for Seniors following the 2023 wildfire evacuation, here is a summary of the key points and initiatives:

1.      Collaborative Debriefs and Reviews:

o  Ongoing talks are scheduled with GNWT departments and agencies, NTHSSA, Hay River HSSA, NGOs, the City of Yellowknife, and community governments to share reflections and lessons learned from the evacuation.

o  AVENS recognizes the importance of working with the GNWT as it recently awarded its contract for the 2023 Wildfire Emergency Response After Action Review (June/2024)https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/gnwt-awards-contract-2023-wildfire-emergency-response-after-action-review

2.      Emergency Plan Review and Expansion:

o  Ongoing discussions with GNWT to review and expand the Northwest Territories Emergency Plan to address challenges faced during the wildfire evacuations.

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3.      Service Contract Review:

o  An email was sent to NTHSSA to review and re-negotiate the Service Contract to explicitly address roles, responsibilities, and financial obligations in emergency situations.

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4.      Communication and Planning Protocols:

o  Meetings were held with the City of Yellowknife's KPMG response review team to discuss emergency planning processes and protocols involving non-government organizations and considerations for vulnerable population sector. https://www.yellowknife.ca/en/city-government/resources/Reports/Public_Safety/CITY-OF-YELLOWKNIFE-AFTER-ACTION-ASSESSMENT-2023-NORTH-SLAVE-COMPLEX-WILDFIRES-FINAL-REPORT-JUNE-2024.pdf

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5.      Evacuation Checklist Development:

o  Development of formal evacuation manual and checklist to ensure staff and residents are prepared for evacuation and transfer.

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6.      Contract Service Agencies:

o  As part of our proactive contingency planning, contract services have been maintained and verified in Alberta, with plans to reach out to agencies in BC and Saskatchewan for standing MOUs.

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7.      Communications Protocols:

o  Ongoing discussions with GNWT and City of Yellowknife to include protocols for communication with non-government organizations providing care and services.

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8.      Aircraft Coordination and Medical Support:

o  Initiating meetings with stakeholders in aviation logistics to coordinate access to aircraft and ensure medical support for specific flights during evacuations and repatriation.

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9.      Specialized Needs Consideration:

o  Ensuring emergency plans account for the specialized needs of residents with mobility challenges during evacuations.

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10.  Staff Communication Processes:

o  Continued use of email and direct SMS Text for communicating with off-site staff to avoid disruptions and ensure clear messaging during emergencies.

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11.  Inventory Maintenance and Collaboration:

o  Maintaining perpetual inventories of hotels and contractors’ accessibility for evacuation purposes, collaborating with NTHSSA and provincial counterparts.

12.  Facility Checklists and Security Functions:

o  Developing checklists for physical facility departures and exploring options for security functions during evacuation emergencies.

Emergency “evacuation” preparedness is a continuous improvement process. These actions demonstrate AVENS' commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness, communication, and coordination in response to lessons learned from the 2023 NWT Wildfire Evacuation. lessons

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For general inquires or for media inquires please contact:

Daryl Dolynny -AVENS President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (867)445-2000

email: Daryl_Dolynny@avensseniors.com

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AVENS AND THE 2023 WILDFIRE EVACUATIONS: SUMMARY OF REFLECTIONS REPORT

In August of 2023, the City of Yellowknife and many other NWT communities faced increasing threats from encroaching wildfires.  AVENS – A Community for Seniors, the City of Yellowknife and GNWT departments and agencies had been engaged in evacuation planning over the course of the summer, but the focus had primarily been on scenarios where other communities were evacuated to Yellowknife; or where only one area of Yellowknife would be evacuated, and evacuees would be sheltered elsewhere in the city. Until the end of July, AVENS had understood that in the unlikely event of a full evacuation, provisions for the safe evacuation of AVENS long-term care residents would be coordinated by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. It was not until the end of July that AVENS was informed that it was fully responsible for all aspects of evacuation planning and implementation.  

Beginning on August 1, AVENS’ management team put together a comprehensive evacuation plan for more than 50 residents – including several residents of long-term care facilities in Fort Smith and Hay River who had been evacuated to Yellowknife. This plan included locating aircraft to transport residents, identifying a destination location, identifying staff roles and responsibilities, undertaking preparation required to transport residents (including clothing, personal effectives, medication needs, etc.), identifying emergency accommodations for 57 residents and associated care staff, along with all the support services that would be required – food services, laundry, nursing and medical care, security, and personal support services. By August 16, when the GNWT issued the evacuation order for Yellowknife, AVENS was ready to put the evacuation plan into action. Throughout the evacuation experience, AVENS staff faced a continual barrage of unforeseen and unanticipated events, resulting in a high level of stress and uncertainty for the duration of the evacuation.

In spite of the challenges encountered and the last-minute nature of the evacuation, AVENS successfully relocated 57 long-term care residents in appropriate accommodations in Alberta within a week of leaving Yellowknife. While all phases of the evacuation did not go smoothly, as documented in our internal report, overall the process was a success and AVENS residents remained in good health and good spirits throughout. This positive outcome was achieved in spite of a lack of engagement and support from the City of Yellowknife and GNWT.

AVENS has prepared a comprehensive report to document the challenges faced, and the lessons learned, during the 2023 evacuation in order to enable AVENS and other agencies to learn from the experience and be better prepared for any future evacuation events. The full report has been shared on a confidential basis with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the City of Yellowknife. Because some of the information in the report deals with resident information, the full report has not been made public. However, AVENS feels it is important to share our recommendations widely and they are outlined below.

RECOMMENDATIONS

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Planning

External and inter-agency

If this has not already been done, it is recommended that the GNWT convene collaborative inter-agency debriefs including GNWT departments and agencies involved in emergency planning and specifically evacuation of vulnerable populations, the Hay River Health and Social Services Authorities, NGOs, and involved community governments; to share reflections and lessons learned and to collaboratively generate recommendations to inform future planning.

• GNWT review and expand the Northwest Territories Emergency Plan, in light of challenges encountered by all stakeholders during the 2023 wildfire evacuations, to ensure gaps are addressed – including clarity on responsibility for evacuating vulnerable populations.
• NTHSSA and AVENS review and re-negotiate the Service Contract to explicitly address roles, responsibilities, and financial obligations in situations where AVENS is not able to provide services on site at the Yellowknife campus.
• GNWT and City of Yellowknife emergency planning processes and protocols should include scheduled discussions with non-government organizations providing services to vulnerable populations, at least once per year, as well as up-to-date designated emergency contacts.

Internal to AVENS

• Develop an evacuation checklist which details not only all the steps required to safely and efficiently evacuate staff, but also what needs to be done to plan for arrival and upon arrival; including roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure that the evacuation checklists provide for both a care lead and an operational lead to be available at all times during an emergency situation.
• Develop and continually update a list of contract service agencies available in the most likely evacuation receptor locations, including nursing, cleaning, security, food, and laundry. Maintain contact with these agencies and consider a standing MOU so that services can be accessed quickly if required.

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Communications

External and inter-agency

• GNWT update and revise the Northwest Territories Emergency Plan to include protocols for communications with non-government organizations who provide care and services for NWT residents via service contracts with GNWT departments and agencies.
• When issuing emergency orders and alerts, GNWT and City of Yellowknife consider including specific messaging aimed at essential workers in order to avoid confusion or mixed messaging.

Internal to AVENS

• Develop improved processes for communicating with staff when not on site at the campus.

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Transportation

External and inter-agency

• GNWT’s Emergency Management Organization should take a clear leadership role in coordinating access to and assignment of available aircraft during an evacuation, to avoid confusion and competition as different organizations and governments seek to move their residents/beneficiaries to safety. This role should include advance communications with agencies responsible for NTHSSA clients or other residents reliant on GNWT support so that there are no surprises.
• Aircraft coordination planning needs to include identification of required medical support personnel and equipment for specific flights.
• GNWT agencies and EMO should ensure that emergency plans envision the specialized needs of residents with mobility challenges and that flights carrying these residents have access to the specialized tools and medical support personnel required to safely and comfortably transport these residents.

Internal to AVENS

• Train more drivers for the AVENS bus so that this task can be shared.

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Accommodations and Logistics

External and inter-agency

• NTHSSA collaborate with AVENS and other service providers to maintain an inventory of hotels available for evacuation on short notice, including information on room layout, size, dimensions of beds, available services, etc.
• City of Yellowknife explore whether there is an option to establish a key collection and security check function for privately owned buildings that serve a public function in the city during an evacuation emergency.

Internal to AVENS

• In the absence of collaborative efforts to do so with NTHSSA, maintain an inventory of hotels available for evacuation on short notice, including information on room layout, size, dimensions of beds, available services, etc.
• Maintain an inventory of contractors to provide services such as security, meals, laundry, cleaning in potential evacuation locations
• Develop a physical facility departure checklist for the AVENS campus, including storage of keys, ensuring all windows closed, etc.

Care

External and inter-agency

• NTHSSA collaborate with provincial counterparts to maintain an inventory of available spaces for long-term care and assisted living residents in the event of future evacuations, and share that information with AVENS should the need arise.
• GNWT HSS and NTHSSA explore the potential for interjurisdictional agreements to expedite credentialling and registration of health care professionals during emergency situations.
• NTHSSA take the lead in developing client care management protocols for long-term care facilities in evacuation situations, including NTHSSA taking a lead role in coordinating and resourcing implementation.
• NTHSSA and AVENS develop protocols, roles and responsibilities, professional standards, and education for the medical community to ensure there is clarity on the designated MRP for residents evacuated from NTHSSA facilities to AVENS, and residents evacuated from AVENS outside the NWT.
• NTHSSA collaborate with AHS on inter-provincial coordination to ensure the availability of medical leadership in an emergency evacuation situation, and communicate this information in advance to non-government agencies who provide care.

Internal to AVENS

• Develop a list of registration requirements for care team staff in the event that evacuation requires re-location out of territory. Work with regulatory agencies to ensure there is a clear understanding of registration processes and requirements.

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Administration, Equipment, Supplies

External and inter-agency

• GNWT develop protocols for commandeering equipment in an emergency situation, including appropriate paperwork and care and custody agreements.
• City of Yellowknife explore whether there is an option to establish a key collection and security check function for privately owned buildings that serve a public function in the city during an evacuation emergency.

Internal to AVENS

• Develop operational guidelines for labelling all equipment, whether owned or rented, including ensuring all removable sections of wheelchairs and other equipment are separately labelled.
• Develop checklists of emergency supplies to be kept on hand in anticipation of possible evacuation, including contents of “go bags” for residents, and non-removable name tags or armbands for residents.
• Maintain a detailed procurement needs list for a situation where AVENS staff are starting from scratch, including not only items needed but quantities per resident – include linens, diapers, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, toiletries, snacks, and refreshments, etc.
• Ensure that emergency planning checklists include a designated lead for procurement and equipment acquisition.
• Develop an up-dated technology evergreening plan that ensures AVENS management has compatible, functional computer equipment to support dispersed operations.

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Staffing and HR

External and inter-agency

• NTHSSA and AVENS explore the potential to develop interagency agreements for sharing or re-deployment of long-term care staff during evacuation scenarios.
• Aurora College Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs include training on the concept of what it means to be an essential worker, using the 2023 wildfire scenario as a case study.

Internal to AVENS

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date evacuation readiness HR plan based on the 2023 experience, which outlines: core staff requirements, what services can feasibly be contracted and which require own forces (for example, the 2023 assumption that cleaning services could be contracted proved to be problematic based on the need for cleaning to meet AVENS’ IPAC standards), regulatory registration requirements for delivering out-of-territory care, staff availability and willingness to be available during an evacuation based on other personal factors such as family obligations, details of requirements for use of agency care staff.
• Ensure that all AVENS staff receive training in the concept of what it means to be an essential worker, and what obligations this creates, and include this in orientation for new staff on an on-going basis.
• Explore enhancing the use of employee self-service platforms and on-line tools to provide for off-site time entry, direct messaging with staff, and other functions. Provide staff training on the use of selected platforms and functions.
• Develop policies to clarify the pay status of employees who are not working during an emergency evacuation, and AVENS’ obligations for staff who evacuate with residents with respect to accommodations and other benefits.
• Develop a protocol for calling back workers during an emergency evacuation scenario.

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Finances

External and inter-agency

• NTHSSA and AVENS review and re-negotiate the Service Contract to explicitly address roles, responsibilities, and financial obligations in situations where AVENS is not able to provide services on site at the Yellowknife campus.

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For general information or for media inquiries please contact:
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Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (867) 445-2000
Email: daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

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 Dear AVENS Residents, Resident Families, Staff, and Community Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. As we navigate through the aftermath of the recent NWT wildfire evacuation, I wanted to provide you with important information regarding the upcoming repatriation of our AVENS residents from the Edmonton area.

The repatriation process is a significant undertaking, one that requires careful planning, dedication, and teamwork. Our goal is to ensure the safe return of our beloved residents to their home facility in Yellowknife, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. We have scheduled the repatriation exercise to take place from Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, through Saturday, September16th, 2023.

To achieve this, we will be utilizing four separate daily charters during this repatriation period. Each charter will play a crucial role in reuniting our residents with their familiar surroundings and the compassionate care of our dedicated staff.

During this period, I kindly request that everyone involved, including residents, resident families, staff, and members of our community, help us by minimizing unnecessary demands on our logistics team and staff. We understand that you may have concerns or questions, and we encourage you to reach out through the appropriate channels. Your understanding and cooperation will greatly assist us in executing this complex operation effectively.

For our staff members, if you haven’t done so, please report to your supervisors if you are available and able to assist during the repatriation process. Your dedication and willingness to support your colleagues during this time are greatly appreciated.

We understand that this period may be filled with uncertainty and emotions, but let us remember that it is a necessary step toward reuniting our residents with the comfort and care they deserve. Together, as a community, we can make this transition as seamless, as possible.

Ultimately, our primary focus is the safety and well-being of our residents. With your patience, understanding, and support, we will ensure that they return home safe and sound. When the last resident has safely returned to our facility, we will have reason to rejoice and celebrate as a united community.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and cooperation during this challenging time. Together, we can overcome any obstacles and provide the best possible care to our residents.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team. We are here to assist you and provide you with the information you need.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our residents and our community.

#AVENSstrong

Sincerely,

Daryl Dolynny Bsc. Pharm. P.E.B.C. President and Chief Executive Officer

For general information or concerns please contact:
Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer
(867) 445-2000 or daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

For resident care questions please contact:
Frances Marshall – Director of Care
(867) 445-5853 or frances_marshall@avensseniors.com

For employee specific questions please contact:
Lindsey Dwojak – Director of Human Resources / Occupational Health and Safety
(867)920-2442 extension 105 or lindsey_dwojak@avensseniors.com

For operations type questions please contact:
Steven Nicholas– Director of Operations
(867)445-5001 or steven_nicholas@avensseniors.com

For finance related questions please contact:
Sare Fullerton– Director of Finance
(867)920-2443 extension 102 or sara_fullerton@avensseniors.com

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Dear Resident Family Members and Friends,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I am writing to inform you about the latest developments regarding our repatriation strategy back to our Yellowknife facility after the lengthy wildfire evacuation. We understand that this has been a trying period for all of us, and the uncertainty surrounding our return has been a source of concern for both our staff and residents' loved ones. Rest assured, we have been diligently working on a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe and smooth transition back to our home.

At this time, our repatriation plan is tentatively scheduled to begin mid-next week, and it will take place over several days. The specific details of this plan, including the exact start date and the procedures involved, are currently being finalized.

Our dedicated team of experts is working diligently to address all the logistical aspects of our repatriation strategy, including safety protocols, transportation, and communication plans. We will keep you updated with timely and accurate information as soon as we have all the details finalized.

If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our leadership team. We are here to support you every step of the way.

For general information or concerns please contact:
Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer
(867) 445-2000 or daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

For resident care questions please contact:
Frances Marshall – Director of Care
(867) 445-5853 or frances_marshall@avensseniors.com

For employee specific questions please contact:
Lindsey Dwojak – Director of HR
Lindsey_dwojak@avensseniors.com

For Operations type questions please contact:
Steven Nicholas– Director of Operations
(867)445-5001 or steven_nicholas@avensseniors.com

Sincerely,

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Daryl Dolynny Bsc. Pharm. P.E.B.C. President and Chief Executive Officer

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Good morning,

AVENS: A community for Seniors continues to navigate the wildfire situation in Yellowknife and the surrounding area. AVENS has begun pre-planning to resume long term care services at our facility in Yellowknife as soon as it is safe to return to Yellowknife. While we wait, current services at Telford Mews in Leduc and Waterford of Summerlea in Northwest Edmonton will continue.

We know you are very anxious for your loved ones to return home, and we are pleased to let you know we have begun the initial planning for our residents’ return to Yellowknife. There are many important considerations as we work toward this goal, the first being the care and safety of our residents. The Yellowknife fire status is now listed as “Being Held” by NWT Fire, the wildfire remains 15 kilometres from Yellowknife. The Government of the Northwest Territories, the City of Yellowknife, and wildfire officials have indicated that this could change back to Out of Control if conditions change. We maintain close relationships with NTHSSA and the local municipalities to ensure we have the information we need to develop timelines and a plan for our re-entry. The re-entry of AVENS will not be the same as residents who reside outside of Long-Term Care.

Because of the unpredictable nature of the wildfires, and the complexity and time required to safely evacuate our residents, we are taking a very cautious approach to minimize the possibility of another evacuation. Many of our residents have mobility issues and evacuating them requires planning and appropriate transportation options to accommodate stretchers and wheelchairs. It’s a complex operation that requires specialized resources and considerable time to complete safely.

The care and safety of our residents remain our top priority. To ensure the comfort and safety of residents, they will continue to be cared for in their temporary locations until a plan for their return has been fully developed and arrangements made for them to be transported home.

Residents and families will be notified when arrangements are in place for a safe return to their homes. Please note that any change in the wildfire status or risk factors may result in a change to those arrangements.

In the meantime, we continue to encourage you to visit if you are in the area.

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Waterford of Summerlea

9395 172 St NW Edmonton

Main contact for Resident questions:

Sandra Crocker Walsh

(867) 688-1011 Sandra_walsh@avensseniors.com

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Telford Mews

41 Athapaskan Drive, Leduc Alberta

Main contact for resident questions:

Frances Marshall

(867) 445-5853

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Updates to NTHSSA’s response to the wildfires, as well as resources, will continue to be posted to https://www.nthssa.ca/en/services/wildfire-health-services-updates.

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We thank AVENS employees and families, who assisted in these safe evacuations, and who continue to provide safe and high-quality care to patients and families. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our team.

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Sincerely,

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AVENS Leadership

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Contact information for members of our team

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For general information or concerns please contact:

Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer

(867) 445-2000 or daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

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For resident care questions please contact:

Frances Marshall – Director of Care

(867) 445-5853 or frances_marshall@avensseniors.com

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For employee specific questions please contact:

Lindsey Dwojak – Director of HR

lindsey_dwojak@avensseniors.com

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For Operations type questions please contact:

Steven Nicholas – Director of Operations

(867) 445-5001 or steven_nicolas@avensseniors.com

We hope you are safe and secure during this unprecedented time.

Please know that rent will not be withdrawn as per the usual process on Friday, September 1, 2023 for any residents and tenants. AVENS will pro-rate rent for the month of August and for the duration of the evacuation order for all independent housing tenants in Aven Court, Aven Ridge and lease holders. This could include days into September, if the evacuation order continues. Avens will determine pro-rated credits and September billing once we are back on-site in Yellowknife.

You can reach out to any of us through this website under Contact or using our direct emails.

Sincerely,

Avens Management Team

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Dear Resident Families and Friends,

AVENS team have been working endlessly to secure and set up longer term accommodations for the residents in our care. Earlier this week, many of the residents of the Territorial Dementia Facility and some Residents from Aven Manor were transferred successfully to a facility called Waterford of Summerlea in Northwest Edmonton. With support, our employees will be able to continue to provide care and ensure the safety of your loved ones in a setting that is better equipped for a longer period of time.

The remaining Residents will be transferred to a building called Telford Mews. Telford Mews provides independent living services for seniors in Leduc. AVENS team have been able to secure and set up these units with beds and other items appropriate for long term care. The transfer to the Telford facility will happen today August 25,2023. We ask that visitors hold off until Sunday August 27, 2023 as we work outa plan of how visitation will work.

Waterford of Summerlea

9395 172 St NW Edmonton

Main contact for Resident questions:

Sandra Crocker Walsh

(867) 688-1011

Sandra_walsh@avensseniors.com

Telford Mews

41 Athapaskan Drive, Leduc Alberta

Main contact for resident questions:

Frances Marshall

(867) 445-5853

We want to thank everyone for their patience and support during this time. Your comments and visits have been a breath of fresh air, as we work our way through this. If you have any questions or concerns please connect with Frances Marshall at (867) 445-5853.  

Sincerely,

AVENS Leadership team

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For general information or concerns please contact:
Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer
(867) 445-2000 or daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

For resident care questions please contact:
Frances Marshall – Director of Care
(867) 445-5853 or frances_marshall@avensseniors.com

For employee specific questions please contact:
Lindsey Dwojak – Director of HR
Lindsey_dwojak@avensseniors.com

For Operations type questions please contact:
Steven Nicholas– Director of Operations
(867)445-5001 or steven_nicholas@avensseniors.com

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Dear Resident Families and Friends,

The care of all residents, staff and families remains at the top of our minds as we settle in for the stay in Alberta. Our team continues to work with Best Western Hotels, Alberta Health Services and local organizations to ensure your family members are safe and secure.  

As of today, AVENS has secured a brand new 30-bed facility called the Waterford of Summerlea at 9395 172st NW, Edmonton, AB and also 19-units at the Christenson Telford Mews located at 41 Athapaskan Drive in Leduc, Alberta for all residents. Our care team will continue to provide support at both locations during and after the transfer occurs. The logistics of the transfers are currently underway with the acquisition of new beds, linens, clothing and support services including food, laundry and housekeeping.  

Rest assured that our team is doing everything to provide the best services during this time:

As a reminder, our Health and Wellness team are working on assisting residents with facetime visits and phone calls this week. If you would like to visit, please contact Jessica Ewing at (867) 446-9355.  

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

AVENS Leadership team.

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Dear Resident Families and Friends,

We hope this message finds you well and that you have brought yourself and family to safety. The last 4 to 5 days have been extremely stressful and challenging for all Northerners. AVENS team came together in this moment of crisis and worked to bring your loved one to safety. There have been many challenges along the way, however our team has worked hard in each instance to ensure the safety of the residents in our care.

The first goal for our team was to bring everyone to safety. The team has been able to connect with local organizations and Alberta Health Services to help secure supplies, extra help and other items as they have come up. When we left Yellowknife, we were unable to take many of the supplies we prepared and a generous portion of our mobility equipment, due to space constraints. Last night, some of these items were shipped to us, this will give our team more tools to assist your loved ones and give the residents more independence.

The Best Western Hotel team has been incredibly supportive and helpful in our complex situation. Our team has been working on securing other arrangements for the residents, as we recognize that a longer-term solution is required, to ensure our staff are able to support and care for your loved one with all the necessary tools.

Our team has been working with Alberta Health Services and have secured a 30-bed secure facility for some of our residents. Our team is working on ensuring the space is set up and safe for your loved one, when we know more information regarding this, we will share it with you. We are hopeful that by Wednesday, the residents will be transferred to this facility.

We understand that separation from your family members is especially hard during these times of uncertainty but encourage families to visit and help if able and are in the area. Our Health and Wellness team will be working on assisting residents with facetime visits and phone calls this week. If you would like to visit, please contact Jessica Ewing at (867) 446-9355. She will assist you in finding the location of your family member, as we are currently at 2 hotels.

Your trust in us is of the utmost importance, and we are committed to upholding it through every step of this process. Please take comfort in the fact that your family members are in capable hands, and their safety and comfort remain our top priorities.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

AVENS Leadership team.

All residents have safely arrived in Leduc, AB. Our team is onsite working with extra help from local organizations ensuring the safety, comfort and care of all residents. We are committed to keeping resident families up to date with the latest information and full contact information is listed below.

Sincerely,

AVENS Leadership team.

Good Evening,

City of Yellowknife has announced a city-wide evacuation for residents of Yellowknife. AVENS has been working closely with the City of Yellowknife and the Government of the Northwest Territories to ensure a plan is in place for an event such as this.

Below is a high-level summary of our plan. Within the next 24 - 48 hours all the residents of AVENS will be airlifted to Edmonton. AVENS team has secured accommodation with the Best Western Premier Denham Inn and Suites in Edmonton Alberta. We are unsure of how long we will be temporarily away, however have prepared a small travel pack for each resident, supplies for 48 hours, medication and staff to accompany them on their journey.

• 10+ Staff are ready to go with residents and provide care on-site along with contract nursing after arriving south which exceeds the required levels of care required.
• All services including medication, clothing, supplies, oxygen, charts, records, and care packages are ready to go with residents by air transport.
• Residents will be staying at the Best Western Best Western Premier Denham Inn in Leduc, Alberta.
• We have also arranged for continued physician care, security, and equipment on-site.

We recognize that some families may want to take their family members into their care during this time. This is an option; however we do recommend that all residents travel with the group and remain with AVENS. In the event you want to take your loved one home, you will be required to sign a release of responsibility and AVENS may not be able to assist you until we are able to come home to Yellowknife. If you want to discuss this option, please connect with myself ASAP.

We will be posting information on the website as the situation develops. We will also do our best to ensure communications are sent via email, when changes occur and when we arrive to our temporary lodging. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the following individuals for more information:

For general information or concerns please contact:
Daryl Dolynny- Chief Executive Officer
(867) 445-2000 or daryl_dolynny@avensseniors.com

For resident care questions please contact:
Frances Marshall – Director of Care
(867) 445-5853 or frances_marshall@avensseniors.com

For employee specific questions please contact:
Lindsey Dwojak – Director of HR
Lindsey_dwojak@avensseniors.com

For Operations type questions please contact:
Steven Nicholas– Director of Operations
(867)445-5001 or steven_nicholas@avensseniors.com

We understand this is a very stressful time, for all the residents of the Northwest Territories and there are many unknowns in the days ahead. Our time is working hard to ensure that the residents of AVENS have a safe place to be, during this unfortunate situation.

Dear Resident Families and Friends,

I hope this message finds you well, despite the challenging circumstances we are facing. I want to take a moment to reach out to you and provide reassurance regarding the safety and well-being of your cherished family members who are currently under our care at AVENS.

As you are aware, the recent wildfire situation in the Yellowknife area has prompted us to take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of our residents. Our top priority is the welfare of your loved ones, and I want to assure you that every possible measure has been taken to guarantee their security during this transition.

We have worked closely with emergency response teams and authorities to orchestrate a smooth and safe evacuation process. We have over 16 dedicated staff members, who are trained in care and support services, that are accompanying each resident throughout the journey to our Edmonton facility. Rest assured that their needs, both medical and emotional, are being met with the utmost care and attention.

The Edmonton facilities, where your loved ones will be temporarily relocated, is fully equipped to provide the same high level of care that they have been accustomed to. Our team has meticulously prepared to welcome them and ensure that their daily routines are maintained as closely as possible, minimizing any disruption during this challenging time.

We understand that separation from your family members, especially during times of uncertainty, can be distressing. Please know that we are here for you as well. Our dedicated staff is available to provide updates on your loved ones' well-being and to answer any questions you may have. Regular communication will be maintained via our website to keep you informed about the situation and the return of your loved ones to Yellowknife once it is safe to do so.

We are embarking your loved ones as we speak, and they will be flying on a military Herc to Edmonton. We have plenty of space and the military staff have been amazing to work with. Our arrival time in Edmonton should be approximately 8:30 PM, where our ground shuttle crew will be there to take them to their designated hotels.

Your trust in us is of the utmost importance, and we are committed to upholding it through every step of this process. Please take comfort in the fact that your family members are in capable hands, and their safety and comfort remain our top priorities.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

AVENS Leadership team.