‘Unsafe’ homeless encampments must come down: Edmonton fire chief

While Edmonton’s fire chief acknowledges homeless encampments are a complex issue, he says they are dangerous and ultimately need to come down.

In a year-end interview with CityNews, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services Chief Joe Zatylny says he’s worried about the growing threat of fires at homeless camps.

“I would say that this last two weeks and as the weather starts to get colder, almost every second day I’m getting a message that there is somebody that received serious burns or worse in encampments,” Zatylny said.

“It’s only going to get colder, and my concern as fire chief is that this is only going to escalate.”

EFRS responded to 105 fire-related calls in encampments this year between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, resulting in two deaths and 19 injuries. There were four deaths linked to encampment fires last year.

RELATED: Edmonton police continue to see dangerous encampment fires

“We’re seeing injuries and deaths related to fires with our most vulnerable and none of that is acceptable,” said Zatylny.

“Two fire deaths less than last year, I’m still not celebrating, they’re all unacceptable. All of these burns and injuries are unacceptable.”

High-risk camps to be dismantled

On Monday, Edmonton police, the city and a human rights group reached an agreement that will see eight camps that are considered a public safety risk taken down.

Before proceeding with dismantling the eight camps, the city and police must issue notice again to the people living in them, as well as make sure there are alternative accommodations available for the residents.

There’s no specific date for their removal.

Zatylny says taking a thoughtful and comprehensive approach when encampments do come down is key, as well as supporting the individuals.

“It’s not just as simple as taking down a tent,” he said. “There’s not just an entire cleanup that needs to occur. There are people that are very vulnerable and there are people struggling that the right services need to be in place.

“Encampments are a complex issue and there’s a lot of partners that need to be involved. Whether it’s ensuring people have somewhere to go where they can receive treatment. But they’re unsafe, there’s no question about it. We need to do what we can to help the people.

“The resources need to be put in place, they need to be supported, the people need the help they need.”

‘An extremely unsafe situation’

The fire chief admits fires are often caused because homeless people are trying to stay warm or cooking in their tents. But that doesn’t stop them from being unsafe and a “high concern to everyone,” he says.

“(The tents are) not designed for ventilation,” Zatylny said. “The materials are combustible. And when you put it in with all the other issues our vulnerable are facing, it just contributes to the continued position of how unsafe they are.

“Our position has always been that they’re unsafe. And activities where there is cooking in tents and open flame in unapproved pits and areas is not safe at all.

Zatylny says fire crews sometimes respond to calls at encampments in hard-to-reach wooded areas in the River Valley, providing a real challenge for first responders.

“There’s all sorts of storage and materials and items that can easily explode in these structures and people are cooking in them. And they’re struggling with all sorts of issues from addiction to mental health, and it is an extremely unsafe situation.”

Fire safety education program

In April, Edmonton Fire announced the Encampment Safety Education Program – part of its encampment response plan – which sees fire crews work with community outreach workers to provide education to help reduce fires in and around encampments.

RELATED: Helping Edmonton’s homeless a top priority in 2023, says fire chief

Zatylny says staff provide in-person education sessions, resources and fire safety checklists to help identify fire risks and ways to reduce the potential of fires.

“These fires have devastating consequences for Edmonton’s vulnerable community,” the chief said. “We want to see our most vulnerable and the agencies that we’re working with educated in fire hazards and safety around those areas.

“Our staff will continue to provide prevention information and education to keep all Edmontonians safe.”