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No alcohol allowed in Red Cross safe shelters

Jul 11, 2015 | 11:59 AM

The Red Cross has managed to look after thousands of evacuees since wildfires have ravaged their communities, and they are doing so as safely as they can.

Currently, 54 different communities are being supported by the Red Cross. By July 10, they had  assisted more than 8,800 people, in seven shelters. There are two shelters set up in Prince Albert, housing just under 250 people.

Cindy Fuchs, director at the Canadian Red Cross, said beyond just providing shelter, they’ve done their best to make it the most safe atmosphere possible.

That’s why curfews have been implemented, some as early as 9 p.m.

“In shelters, there’s always a curfew,” explained Fuchs. She went on to say that local police always advise them on what time it should be.

“People in the shelters can leave whenever they want, just there is a curfew at the end of the day for people who want to go to sleep, and that’s coordinated with the community as to when that happens.”

Some people may think they’re running a tight ship, but she said it’s important for security to be highly involved.

“Within every shelter, there’s a high presence of security to both protect evacuees’ health and safety, but also to protect the community as a partnership,” said Fuchs.

Fuchs said their protocol involves registering each individual who will be staying with them, and giving them a wristband, for the protection of the evacuees.

There have been rumours of excessive drinking at evacuation sites, but Fuchs said it isn’t tolerated.

 “They’re not allowed alcohol in the sites, anywhere. It’s posted, it’s very clear and that’s usually managed by the community in cooperation with security,” Fuchs said.

Those who are visibly drunk and disorderly can’t stay on the premises.

“If anybody is intoxicated, they’re not allowed in the shelter,” said Fuchs. “It’s just general rules and they’re all made aware of those rules.”

If someone has had too much to drink, Fuchs said it’s dealt with.

“If necessary, we would call the authorities,” said Fuchs. “…And we have had to on occasion in the past.”

“They’re allowed back in once the authorities tell us they’re OK to come back in.”

-With files from Chelsea Laskowski.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha