Young fire evacuees 'touch a truck' during visit from Timmins emergency services
While evacuees from Pikangikum First Nation seek refuge in Timmins, local emergency services wanted to give them a chance to explore fire trucks, a police cruiser, and an ambulance up close.
Marc Depatie, the Timmins Police Service's communications coordinator, said many children from smaller communities — which make up a large portion of these evacuees — may find the loud and flashing vehicles startling.
And so the goal for the trio of emergency services is to let people know that "the men and women in uniform are your friends."
"They are easily approachable and if you’re in a situation where you’re perhaps uncomfortable or your safety’s being jeopardized … the man or woman in uniform is there to assist you," Depatie said.
As the youngsters learned about the emergency vehicles, Timmins' fire chief and emergency management coordinator, Tom Laughren, said an event like this is a much-needed distraction from the situation that has forced them to leave their homes.
With around 50 extreme fires in the northwest region raging on with no clear end in sight, he said acquainting evacuees with the city's emergency services, ensures they know they are being looked after.
"Overall, it’s a challenge to keep activities, keep people busy, but the community has been fantastic because we know it’s not easy for them," Laughren said. "We continue to try to work with the community on activities that they would like to see."
Despite the uncertainty of the situation, Pikangikum First Nation Elder Betty Owen said she is not worried because local services are keeping them comfortable.
Her main concern is that her community stays well and happy until they are able to return home.
"They’re nice people, they donate stuff like clothing," Owen said. "I hope there will be no more smoke over there and (that we can) go home safely."
A sentiment shared by evacuees across the province, though Laughren said this looks to be a summer-long issue.
He said with consistently dry weather and fire crews working to the bone to quell the flames, he said there’s ultimately one thing that will determine how long this evacuation will last.
"We really need rain," Laughren said. "Mother Nature needs to help out."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.