Medical care and emergency medicine in Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo are a concern as residents are allowed back into the community after the wildfire damaged or destroyed as much as 80% of some areas. There are tents set up to provide medical care in the parking lot of the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, and these facilities include some very sophisticated medical equipment. Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is not expected to reopen until approximately June 21, and it could be longer if there are any delays. Until then the Urgent Care Centre tent city is what is available, and while routine medical care is not a problem serious emergencies could be a very big issue. There is a trauma room, plenty of medications, CT scanner, X-ray facilities, and even a resuscitation bay.

The Urgent Care Centre is fully equipped to provide most medical care, with a staff that includes 2 doctors, 7 nurses, a lab and respiratory technician, lus paramedics, supervisors, managers, and administrators. There are ambulances and planes which are always on standby in case emergency medicine beyond the capabilities of the centre is needed. According to Dr. Qaiser Rizvi “It has a complete MASH vibe. The medications are stocked, the equipment and staff are ready to handle what comes next. It’s different working like this, but we’ve got everything we need for essentials, minus a few bells and whistles. There will be some challenges working in this environment, but we’ve been preparing for this. It’s nice seeing the town start picking up today. But a lot of things can happen.”