Evacuees from Interior Health care homes near wildfires land at YVR, greeted by TransLink buses

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — Nearly 100 seniors evacuated from long-term care homes in B.C. communities threatened by wildfires landed at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday, and Metro Vancouver’s bus drivers were there to help get them to safety.

On Monday, Interior Health announced it had “proactively evacuated” care homes in Kelowna, Merritt, Armstrong, 100 Mile House, and Lillooet. Whiles some residents were moved to homes close to their communities, many others were flown to the Lower Mainland.

“Families are being contacted directly and provided details of their loved one’s temporary location, contact information, and ongoing care,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown, in a statement.

“Many of the impacted long-term care homes are evacuating to care homes in Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health, and Fraser Health. We appreciate the collaboration and support of all health system partners, local
communities and organizations in supporting these moves.”

Our hearts are with those impacted by the devastating #BCWildfires. Today, @TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company and HandyDART played a small role in helping 100 long-term care residents who were forced to leave, get to safety here in the Lower Mainland @yvrairport pic.twitter.com/veSu18XVtH

— News from TransLink (@TransLinkNews) August 18, 2021

TransLink spokesperson Tina Lovgreen says a small fleet was at YVR to meet the evacuees. TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company and HandyDART staff were all on hand to help coordinate the last-leg of the long journey.

“Our hearts really go out with, go out to those who are impacted by these devastating wildfires,” she says.

“It was really touching and emotional for me to see our bus operators out there. They’re very good at logistics and operations so they had their shuttles and buses on standby, and were rolling them in as the evacuees arrived at the airport.”

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RCMP officers, airport staff, and workers from Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health came together to make sure the seniors — many of whom use wheelchairs and have mobility issues — were able to board accessible vehicles quickly and smoothly. But they were also there to make sure evacuees were greeted by friendly faces during an overwhelming time that comes amid a pandemic that has already been so disruptive and difficult for residents of long-term care.

“I’m sure it’s been very difficult for the residents who’ve been impacted by the wildfires. It’s already been a very difficult time because of COVID,” Lovgreen says.

“I think it just really comes down to being there for the community during such a crisis, and being able to come together quickly to offer our services in any way we can to help the best we can, to contribute — even if it’s in a small way — to help people get to where they need to go and stay safe during these difficult times.”