17 Oct 2026: Major fire at CFB Wainwright

[brihard]

Maybe a dumb question, but what do the SARtechs bring to the table in this kind of scenario? Search and extraction from a fire area is a core firefighter job function that does need some training and equipment that the SAR techs don't have, so if more resources were needed there are a lot of other avenues to get that augmented (like other FDs in a reverse aid to power).

Just asking as a distraction to what is really a tragic situation.

They’re all highly trained paramedics. Very useful for ongoing casualty care pending CASEVAC.

 

[PrairieFella]

Maybe a dumb question, but what do the SARtechs bring to the table in this kind of scenario? Search and extraction from a fire area is a core firefighter job function that does need some training and equipment that the SAR techs don't have, so if more resources were needed there are a lot of other avenues to get that augmented (like other FDs in a reverse aid to power).

Just asking as a distraction to what is really a tragic situation.

Medical care is one of their specialities.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Without derailing this too much, the wind was definitely not unexpected. It was the result of the passage of a sharp cold front that had been forecast.

I'm pretty much 100% confident a weather warning for the base would have been issued, along with the public warning for the area. There is a CAF unit dedicated to producing weather forecasts and warnings for CAF sites across the country.

The investigation will bring all of the details to light over time, and many lessons are likely to be learned.

I happened to be in central Alberta when that cold front passed through. Environment Canada forecasted winds 50 gusting 80 kmh and there was no weather warning that I saw. What we actually got locally where I was at was 80 gusting 120kmh, causing widespread power outages and wind damage.

 

[MilEME09]

Im sure it will be part of the investigation, but with the fire sweeping into the admim area, it probably hit the ammo point too. Which may be the source of the explosion reports that occurred if any ammo cooked off.

 

[lenaitch]

Maybe a dumb question, but what do the SARtechs bring to the table in this kind of scenario? Search and extraction from a fire area is a core firefighter job function that does need some training and equipment that the SAR techs don't have, so if more resources were needed there are a lot of other avenues to get that augmented (like other FDs in a reverse aid to power).

Just asking as a distraction to what is really a tragic situation.

The RM of Wainwright is about 5000 people, so they will likely have a volunteer fire service of corresponding size. I can only assume the surrounding rural municipalities would be similar. Most VFFs have standard level first aid/CPR training. According to WIki, SARTECs are trained to 'primary care paramedic standards'. That level of training in the civilian world would probably only available in cities like Edmonton and possibly air ambulances.

 

[Navy_Pete]

They’re all highly trained paramedics. Very useful for ongoing casualty care pending CASEVAC.

Thanks, that makes sense. The initial CASEVAC must have been all hands on deck, even with resources coming in from Edmonton etc.

 

[MilEME09]

Thanks, that makes sense. The initial CASEVAC must have been all hands on deck, even with resources coming in from Edmonton etc.

given the shortage of doctors in AHS, i wouldn't be surprised if the CAF flew in some of our HC people to assist short term

 

[Navy_Pete]

The RM of Wainwright is about 5000 people, so they will likely have a volunteer fire service of corresponding size. I can only assume the surrounding rural municipalities would be similar. Most VFFs have standard level first aid/CPR training. According to WIki, SARTECs are trained to 'primary care paramedic standards'. That level of training in the civilian world would probably only available in cities like Edmonton and possibly air ambulances.

Yes, I was thinking of the 'search and rescue' portion, less the primary care, and with all the cuts to provincial health care can see trying to surge and divert resources to a mass casualty is a challenge even for major cities. Sure things like the mutual aid agreements will get looked at for LL though.

 

[Maxman1]

Without derailing this too much, the wind was definitely not unexpected. It was the result of the passage of a sharp cold front that had been forecast.

I'm pretty much 100% confident a weather warning for the base would have been issued, along with the public warning for the area. There is a CAF unit dedicated to producing weather forecasts and warnings for CAF sites across the country.

The investigation will bring all of the details to light over time, and many lessons are likely to be learned.

 

[The Bread Guy]

... According to WIki, SARTECs are trained to 'primary care paramedic standards'. That level of training in the civilian world would probably only available in cities like Edmonton and possibly air ambulances.

One version online says they're trained to the equivalent of advanced primary care paramedics," so yeah, a handful of them would be quite handy in a smaller hospital setting handling loadsa patients without warning. Also helps that they're trained to take care of people and get them out of Dodge, given how it sounds like a number of patients ended up having to go to places with more tech/specialized care.

 

[RangerRay]

When I was there many years ago, I found the weather there changed frequently and fast.

 

[PrairieFella]

given the shortage of doctors in AHS, i wouldn't be surprised if the CAF flew in some of our HC people to assist short term

Do SARTECHs have MOs within their Sqns? Maybe a couple docs jumping in?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Do SARTECHs have MOs within their Sqns? Maybe a couple docs jumping in?

No. There will be an MO on base that acts as their medical director.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Do SARTECHs have MOs within their Sqns? Maybe a couple docs jumping in?

Since the Airborne Regiment went away, I don’t think there are any medical officers that are parachute qualified, except by coincidence that they got the course in a previous career path.

 

[captloadie]

I saw the clip yesterday of the SARTECHs landing, and it was noting they also brought in some kit (ventilators, etc.). I'll be honest that my first thoughts were that this was likely a tactical level decision made without adequate thoughts to the bigger picture. Yes, it was the fastest way to get some medically trained experts on the scene, but I questioned whether the risk involved was considered. Hopefully all due considerations were made and this was a deliberate and informed action.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I saw the clip yesterday of the SARTECHs landing, and it was noting they also brought in some kit (ventilators, etc.). I'll be honest that my first thoughts were that this was likely a tactical level decision made without adequate thoughts to the bigger picture. Yes, it was the fastest way to get some medically trained experts on the scene, but I questioned whether the risk involved was considered. Hopefully all due considerations were made and this was a deliberate and informed action.

It was frickin' cool though, and showed a willingness to respond quickly with everything in the CAF's cupboard, and that counts alot in a crisis.

 

[foresterab]

One thing I will say...as a civilian looking into the event....is kudos' to the casualty evacuation. Too often we think of local resources and only when they are overwhelmed do calls for assistance occur. Instead not only CAF aircraft but STARS and Saskatchewan Air Ambulance were used to evacuate casualties. Add in the recognition of immediate need for additional medical support - we often forget how highly trained and versatile SARTECH's are - and the almost immediate Code Orange declaration to give the AHS network time to prepare.

Keep thinking of the events...and potential elsewhere...but the post burn response was fantastic by the CAF in my eyes.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Do SARTECHs have MOs within their Sqns?

No, but there is medical oversight.

B-GA-005-000/FP-D01, Pre-Hospital Protocols and Procedures, Search and Rescue Technician

Div Surg

www.aerospacemedicine.ca

. . . The manual has been developed by the Aeromedical Programs Search and Rescue Technician,
Aeromedical Programs Flight Surgeon, and 1 Canadian Air Division Surgeon, and approved by the Surgeon General.

SAR Medical NCO Handbook

Div Surg

www.aerospacemedicine.ca

You have to go back 70 years or so to have Medical Branch professionals (save for MedA/Tech who remustered to the trade) do ParaRescue training and make operational jumps, but they were Nursing Sisters.

 

[MilEME09]

One thing I will say...as a civilian looking into the event....is kudos' to the casualty evacuation. Too often we think of local resources and only when they are overwhelmed do calls for assistance occur. Instead not only CAF aircraft but STARS and Saskatchewan Air Ambulance were used to evacuate casualties. Add in the recognition of immediate need for additional medical support - we often forget how highly trained and versatile SARTECH's are - and the almost immediate Code Orange declaration to give the AHS network time to prepare.

Keep thinking of the events...and potential elsewhere...but the post burn response was fantastic by the CAF in my eyes.

Given the air ambs were flying in and out all night, the SARTECHs were probably helping stabilize and prep for transport people heading out from wainwright to Edmonton, calgary, red deer and Saskatoon

 

[mariomike]

One of the things I dread where I work is what happens if we have a mass shooting/stabbing/building fire/bus wreck/plane crash -

Not sure what the MCI protocol is in Alberta , or what resources the province has available for MCIs.

News reports indicate twenty-two ground ambulances responded .

Our Incident Management System (IMS) protocol was first-arriving paramedic crew declared an MCI.

That made them Triage Officer and Incident Commander , until senior leadership arrived.

They were first in and last out.

They could request "The Bus" , Emergency Support Units ( Emergency Power Unit with 100 kW Generator and Lighting), Off-Road Rescue ambulances, Public Order paramedics, ETF paramedics, Marine paramedics, CBRNE paramedics, CCTU paramedics , HUSAR paramedics.

Any support from the Dept. they felt necessary.

Again , not sure what resources Alberta has available for MCIs.

Staggered transport coordinated by HQ CACC with hospitals to , hopefully, prevent / minimize bottlenecks .

And avoid / minimize Off-Load delays.