The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC) is guiding a mass (bulk) debris removal and management effort, aiming to align all stakeholders to ensure the safe and effective removal and management of wildfire debris. In an effort to answer as many questions as possible, we offer the following Qs and As:
Which forms do I use? Do I still send requests for permits to Parks Canada?
Yes! Please work with your insurance company to sign authorization and permit forms that allow a contractor to do the debris removal. Parks Canada needs to be informed. Here is a link to their forms and process.
What's this I hear about going through EllisDon?
You still have a right to choose a contractor of your choice however the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) in collaboration with multiple insurance companies have selected EllisDon to coordinate a bulk residential debris removal program. The IBC has drawn on lessons learned from other fire-damaged communities such as Slave Lake and Fort McMurray. These learnings show that bulk debris removal is the most cost-effective, safe, and expedient approach to post-fire recovery. By consolidating the removal process across multiple properties, both homeowners and insurance companies can benefit from improved efficiencies and reduced costs. This consolidated approach also facilitates a consistent standard of safety and environmental practices.
What about costs?
EllisDon has a system in place to trace costs of hauling and shipping back to individual sites meaning simpler debris removal sites/smaller sites/sites without basements will not be charged as much as complex or larger debris removal sites.
EllisDon has released the tender to market for debris removal vendors to price. They expect to have pricing to communicate to the insurance companies by early October.
What health and safety measures are you taking?
Safety has been, and will continue to be, paramount. We are collaborating with multiple agencies to ensure the well-being of our residents, the public, and the environment as we carefully assess and execute each phase of the recovery.
Every homeowner/contractor will be responsible for following strict health, safety and environmental guidelines. There are two specific documents from Parks Canada (Post-Fire Demolition Supplementary Mitigations and Preapproved Routine Impact Assessment Routine Development Projects within the Town of Jasper) that outline all the necessary measures that need to be taken to ensure everyone's health and safety during the debris removal and demolition process.
What about the asbestos signs I see around fencing? What can you tell me about that?
The signage is required to identify there is a possibility of asbestos containing materials in the area. To comply with occupational health and safety legislation, it is mandatory to post information that says asbestos in the area and include the dangers. It does not necessarily mean there is asbestos in each of the properties behind and around these signs however there is always a possibility of asbestos containing materials in the structures given their age. If you have any concerns, you can contact Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) toll free at 1-866-415-8690 or https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-complaints-incidents. Individual knowledge of the sites and contents/building materials of the home as well as testing of the sites is one of the ways to know for sure. You may wish to also ask your insurance company about an air quality inspection for your home. OHS also has a resource on asbestos that can be found here.
There are still things on my property - how will I retrieve them before debris removal?
If you need to retrieve items from your property before debris removal, please contact your insurance adjuster. For fire-damaged vehicles on your property, speak with your vehicle adjuster to arrange removal.
When will the debris removal happen?
Some outlying commercial accommodations have already started. We expect residential removal process to start in October. We will provide any updates here as we become aware. There will also be signs up at sites that state the contractor's name and contact information, permit number and link back to this website for any questions/updates.
Can you tell me more about the whole recovery process?
We understand this is a very challenging time for residents, and we want to thank you for your continued patience and cooperation throughout this difficult period. We continue to work with Parks Canada, the Government of Alberta, agency partners and local community stakeholders on our recovery process. Our ultimate goal is to ensure a safe, swift, and complete recovery. Together, we can rebuild a stronger community while maintaining the highest standards of safety.