Emergency Resources for Alberta Hotels

In response to multiple wildfires burning across the province, Premier Danielle Smith announced that Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency.

Hotels in evacuated communities are closed, others are on evacuation notice, and our members in many other cities & towns are now feeding & sheltering evacuees.

If you have had to close your property, the AHLA suggests:

• Contacting your insurer to initiate a claim – know where your policy is and have it ready.
• Ensuring your employees have registered with the Alberta government so they have access to available supports;
• Issuing Records of Employment (ROEs) to your employees so that they can access Employment Insurance and other supports as soon as possible.
• Providing Employment Insurance information for your employees so they can make a claim.
• Providing Emergency Financial Assistance information to your employees.

The AHLA encourages all hotels to:

Prepare Your Property

• Monitor emergency alerts for your area and stay informed with current & accurate updates.
• Use the AHLA’s sample checklist in the event you need to close your hotel.
• Utilize the Government of Alberta’s FireSmart guidelines to prepare your property if the wildfire(s) approach.
• Wildfire Preparedness: Learn more about how you can protect yourself and your property.

Prepare your Employees

• Ensure your employees have the emergency alert app
• Provide employees with an emergency preparedness checklist: https://www.calgary.ca/emergencies/preparedness/72-hour-kit.html
• Identify employees who may need transportation or other assistance in the event of an evacuation

Helping Employees, Guests & Evacuees

• Assist guests and employees (on and off duty) who may need support in the event your community has to evacuate.
• Extend your very best rates to evacuees and those affected by wildfires.  Remember that Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act prohibits businesses from inflating prices during an emergency.
  • This legislation allows provincial authorities to seek orders to cease the conduct and potentially impose significant fines for charging prices that are deemed to take unfair advantage of the situation.
• Work with guests who may be without identification due a sudden evacuation.
• Relax ‘no pets’ policies for evacuees travelling with animals.
• Remember that guests and staff alike may feel the emotional strain of the current situation.
• Stay in touch with your fellow hoteliers to ensure you can help travelers find accommodation in the event you are full.

The AHLA has been in touch with a number of members in affected areas and we encourage you to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.

Please contact either:

Laurie Chandler at lchandler@ahla.ca
Tracy Douglas-Blowers at tdblowers@ahla.ca