Fort McMurray Fire Chief Darby Allen, who has been lauded for his leadership since the wildfire broke out nearly two weeks ago, announced Thursday that he鈥檚 no longer director of emergency management and will take a brief break from firefighting duties.
鈥淚鈥檓 OK at putting out fires and getting people out, but the next phase is not mine,鈥� Allen told reporters near Fort McMurray, Alta.
The announcement comes as officials prepare to restore municipal services, such as water and electricity, to the ravaged community. Teams of firefighters are still working to put out fire hotspots and flare-ups in and around the town, but the focus has largely shifted to restoring liveability.
Allen鈥檚 position will be passed to Bob Couture, executive director of community and protective services for the nearby community of Wood Buffalo, Alta.
Allen reflected on the crisis and thanked 鈥渆ach and every鈥� person involved in the town鈥檚 evacuation. He said the main thing he鈥檒l take away from the disaster is how 88,000 people were brought to safety.
鈥淲e鈥檝e unfortunately found four deceased pets,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f that鈥檚 our statistics for our entire fire, bearing in mind two people lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident, I think that鈥檚 incredible.鈥�
As for his next steps, Allen said he plans to travel south to decompress for a few days.
鈥淚鈥檒l be honest, I need a break, and I鈥檓 going to spend time with my family and we鈥檙e going to hug a lot and I鈥檒l have a couple of beers,鈥� he said.
Allen also appeared to choke up at times, telling his wife and two adult sons that he loved and missed them. When he returns to Fort McMurray, he says he will 鈥済et on with being a fire chief again.鈥�
But Allen stressed there is still 鈥渓ots to be done鈥� before residents can move home, even for those whose homes remain standing.
鈥淲hether your house is in perfect condition, that鈥檚 not really the issue right now. We have to make sure the community is sustainable for those who come back,鈥� he said.
Danielle Larivee, Alberta鈥檚 minister of municipal affairs, said before residents can return, officials must still confirm that the wildfire, which ravaged parts of Fort McMurray last week, won鈥檛 pose a danger to the community again.
She also noted that essential services such as natural gas, water and sewage must be restored and officials must first ensure that a 鈥渃lean, working鈥� hospital is up and running before residents re-enter the community.
鈥淵ou have shown so much courage and resiliency but your safety is very important to us and your community is not safe,鈥� Larivee said, addressing displaced residents directly. 鈥淎nd until it is, people cannot go home.鈥�
Larivee later added that it is clear that 鈥渢his danger has not yet passed.鈥�
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is expected to announce a "preliminary re-entry plan" within two weeks.
Larivee also said that the good news is that recovery efforts are underway, and power has been restored to the downtown area. Seven damage assessment teams are in the region, and have inspected 520 structures from the outside.
鈥淲e are beginning to develop a clearer picture of exactly what we are doing in terms of damage,鈥� Larivee said.
Meanwhile, officials on Thursday continued to distribute one-time emergency funds to residents displaced by the fire.
