By Derek Cornet

Red Cross, PAGC looking for emergency response volunteers in northern Saskatchewan

Jan 23, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The Canadian Red Cross, in conjunction with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), have been busy in recent weeks recruiting emergency response volunteers across northern Saskatchewan.

“The Canadian Red Cross and PAGC have a collaboration agreement for preparing for and responding to disasters when communities in the North are evacuated due to wildfires, flooding or other disasters,” said Sue Laflamme, the emergency response lead for Prince Albert and area. “Part of the collaborative agreement is for PAGC to work with the Red Cross to recruit volunteers for our emergency response team.”

Since the meetings began two weeks ago, information and recruitments session have been held in Black Lake, Cumberland House, Fond du Lac, Shoal Lake, Wollaston Lake and other communities. Additional meetings will be held Feb. 12 in Hall Lake, Feb. 13 at the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s main office and Sucker River, Feb. 14 in Stanley Mission and Feb. 15 in Grandmother’s Bay. Laflamme noted Red Cross and PAGC officials are also meeting with local band councils and health directors looking for recommendation on who should volunteer.

While Red Cross is looking for two volunteers in each community, Laflamme stated so far close to 70 have signed up, which is more than what was anticipated. Those volunteers would be among the first people the Red Cross would contact when an emergency occurs in the area and evacuations need to take place. Anybody over the age of 18, who is willing to submit to a criminal record and vulnerable sector check is welcome to apply.

“This is kind of a targeted recruitment, however, anyone is welcome to go to our website and register to become a Red Cross volunteer and they’ll be contacted,” Laflamme said. “For Red Cross volunteers, all expenses are covered for travelling and taking the training required. If they are deployed to help out at any site … their expenses are always covered then too.”

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In Saskatchewan, the Red Cross is required to have enough volunteers to evacuate any number of people who need assistance. By 2020, Laflamme said the Red Cross would like to have 800 volunteers in the province.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno