The Sundre area and surrounding region faces a wide range of high-risk hazards. Many of these hazards are unique due to the combination of rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and remote access. Emergencies here are rarely straightforward and often require complex, coordinated technical responses in hard-to-reach areas.

Traumatic Injuries

Activities like horseback riding, ATV/dirtbiking, rock and ice climbing, hunting, and hiking frequently lead to serious injuries such as fractures, head trauma, or spinal injuries (often in areas with difficult terrain and no road access). These incidents can also occur in technically challenging terrain requiring crews to use off-road vehicles, ropes and climbing equipment to reach, extrication tools to free patients trapped in equipment or under rocks/logs/animals/debris, and specific medical equipment to stabilize and protect patients while getting them out and to further care.

Wildlife Encounters & Bear Attacks

As human use of the backcountry grows, so does the risk of encounters with bears, cougars, and moose. The area we operate in is considered one of the most active hotspots for grizzly bear encounters and attacks in all of North America. Wildlife attacks often occur far from cell service or medical care. These responses require careful coordination between first responders and Fish and Wildlife officers to ensure public and responder safety, and proper evidence preservation.

Fires

Dry conditions, heavy fuel loads, and slope winds combine to make the region highly susceptible to fast moving wildfires. These fires can cut off access routes, threaten structures, and trap recreational users in isolated areas. The many communities and campgrounds in the region are also built in amoungst the beautiful forests, unfortunately this makes them prime locations susceptible to wildland urban interface fires.

Flash Flooding & Storm Events

Severe storms are now common in all seasons due to the ever changing weather patterns, bringing torrential rainfall that leads to flash flooding, washed-out roads, and landslides, especially in burned, logged, or drought-weakened areas which are common throughout the region. Canyons, riverways, gravel roads, and flood plains are especially susceptible to downpours and result in people trapped in mountainous areas, stranded along backcountry roads, or impacted by flooding in their homes or while camping. Lightning and snow squalls are also very common here and often catch people doing outdoor activities off guard, leaving them vulnerable to hypothermia, lightning strikes, hail injuries, and vehicle accidents on icy mountain roads.

Tornadoes

Severe thunderstorms that form in the Eastern Slopes result in prime conditions for the formation of tornadoes. EF2 and EF4 tornadoes in recent years have caused widespread damage in minutes. Homes and farms in the area are not built to withstand these events, and most residents lack shelter or warning systems. Structures have been demolished and people have narrowly missed being severely injured.

Swiftwater Emergencies

The Red Deer, Panther, and James Rivers (as well as numerous fast-flowing creeks) are popular for paddling, rafting, and fishing. These waterways are cold, powerful, and can change rapidly, leading to capsized boats, entrapments, and drowning incidents. Class IV rapids and waterfalls attract more and more competitive paddlers and boaters, but also present very dangerous conditions to navigate when accidents occur.

Blizzard Conditions & Deep Freeze

Sudden winter storms can drop feet of snow in hours, trapping drivers, isolating backcountry users, and overwhelming rural road systems. Temperatures can drop to -50°C or lower with windchill, creating extreme risk for hypothermia and exposure. This can also make travel and communications within the region nearly impossible; with limited snow clearing equipment trying to cover a massive area and challenging roadways.

Heat Waves

Summer heatwaves can reach over 40°C, increasing risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and cardiac events, especially among seniors, young children, and outdoor workers - all of which frequent the Sundre area in high numbers.

Delayed EMS & Remote Access

Many emergencies happen hours from the nearest ambulance. Complex rescues may require air support, ATVs, and/ or ground crews navigating dense forest, rivers, or cliffs, often with no communication coverage. Severe weather, fog, or darkness often delays or prevents air resources (such as STARS or Kananaskis Public Safety) from responding and at times, responders and patients have had to survive overnight out on the mountains.

Industrial & Traffic Incidents

Heavy truck traffic, oil and gas activity, and hazardous materials transport create risk of collisions, spills, and large scale industrial accidents with significant risk to life or the environment (particularly along the numerous high-speed traffic corridors running through the area). The Town of Sundre itself is a recognized heavy truck corridor and has thousands of hazardous products moving through town every year.

These hazards are real, frequent, and often life-threatening. This environment demands skilled responders with the training and tools to operate where others cannot. Response capabilities have to go beyond traditional fire-rescue and medical training for first responders in order to succeed in responding safely, competently and effectively in a region as dynamic and challenging as the “West Country”.

These are the responses our team was built to assist with.