ATCO ramps up Fort McMurray crews to restore gas for returning residents

As many evacuees prepare to go home Wednesday as part of a voluntary re-entry, ATCO Gas is ramping up service crews in Fort McMurray.

"We're going to have a large workforce in Fort McMurray for a while to make sure we catch everyone," said Nathan Carter, vice president of Edmonton regional operations. "We do have a lot of people on the ground and we're working really hard to make sure we get people up and running very quickly."

We're working really hard to make sure we get people up and running very quickly.- Nathan Carter

ATCO has quadrupled staff in the community to 400, drawing on crews throughout the province. 

One hundred staff will be devoted to visiting homes and businesses between 7:30 a.m and 10 p.m. 

During an visit the crew will conduct a safety inspection, re-light natural gas appliances and ensure they are working properly.

The utility is not booking appointments because of the volume of calls expected.

Submit form, put placard in window

Instead customers are asked to submit the Natural Gas Service Request Form on the website atcoresponds.com.

Those without internet access can speak with ATCO staff at a Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Welcome Centre or call 310-5678.

Residents are then asked to place an orange placard in a window visible from the street, to let crews know someone is home.

"We'll have people in that neighbourhood," said Carter, although he could not say how long customers would have to wait.

Home visits are expected to last 15 minutes while businesses will take up to an hour. ATCO staff are required to wear company-issued photo identification.

Home business owner worried about delays

But the process raises concerns for Kelly Koban. Her husband can only wait 48 hours before he has to return to Edmonton again because of work, with no guarantee a crew will show up.

"Pretty hard to occupy our home, without a working gas stove to boil water as instructed," she said, referring to the boil water advisory in place for returning residents.

As the mother of a four-year-old and massage therapist who works from her Timberlea home, Koban worries about how long it might take before she can use her stove or access hot water. 

Koban cannot see clients unless she can do laundry and wash her hands.

"I can't work until that's done," Koban said. "So I cannot take my son back until the boil water advisory is lifted. I cannot work until that's done. And I also won't be able to work until ATCO comes to my house and hooks up my appliances."

Koban also expressed concern over what she said was ATCO's refusal to hire two Red Seal qualified gas fitters she knows, to speed up the process.

Carter acknowledged ATCO has had offers of help, but said outside hires are difficult to integrate into the whole process while ensuring a "safe and coordinated response."