Photo credit: Fraser Health Authority
In the early morning hours of August 19, YVR assisted in the coordination of a medical evacuation flight under the leadership of B.C.’s Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
As wildfires were threatening communities and cities in the Northwest Territories, forcing the evacuation of Yellowknife, YVR and PHSA’s Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) worked to establish a facility on Sea Island where medical patients could be received. This facility, once set up, was equipped with beds and supporting medical devices.
A Royal Canadian Air Force C-17 Globemaster arrived at 12:30 a.m. on August 19. It was carrying several patient evacuees from Yellowknife who were triaged at the established medical facility near YVR’s South Terminal and transported to area healthcare facilities.
We are proud of the team that helped in providing these patients the care they needed during a difficult and stressful time. This operation took a large amount of coordination and we appreciate and are grateful for the efforts of so many YVR staff, Signature Flight Support, Securiguard and AeroMag.
We also supported and worked with many partners, including PHSA, BC Emergency Health Services, HEMBC, First Nations Health Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Providence Health Care.
As Canada continues to experience its most impactful wildfire season, YVR is continuing to match donations made to the Red Cross Wildfire fund here.