Supporting you through wildfires: Tools for pharmacy teams on the front lines
With wildfires already impacting large regions across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, it’s clear that the 2025 season will be incredibly challenging. These emergencies disrupt lives and health systems—and for many pharmacy professionals, they hit close to home.
As an essential health care provider with deep roots in your community, you are often called to respond in a crisis, even as you manage the same evacuations, smoke exposure and uncertainties as your patients. These moments are not only professional challenges—they’re personal.
CPhA is here to support you with a range of practical, pharmacist-specific tools to help you care for your patients and prepare your practice.
Tools to help pharmacists support patients
To help pharmacy professionals prepare for and respond to the impacts of wildfires and other emergencies, CPhA has developed a suite of practical, pharmacist-focused resources:
Wildfires resource
A focused handout offering guidance on:
- Counselling patients on reducing exposure and staying safe
- Recommending emergency supply plans and air quality monitoring
- Identifying and supporting high-risk populations
Continuity of care toolkit
This set of operational resources—Ensuring Continuity of Care During and After Emergencies and Top Considerations for Pharmacy Managers—is designed to help you:
- Manage temporary closures and ensure staff safety
- Transfer prescriptions and provide emergency fills
- Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues
- Prepare for surges in demand for medications like inhalers and epinephrine
Emergency preparedness for patients
This Medication Checklist and Grab & Go Medication Bag resource can help patients keep their medication records and supplies organized—tools that are particularly useful for pharmacists when care continuity depends on quick, informed responses.
Staying resilient, staying connected
Every season, pharmacy professionals step up—keeping doors open, answering questions, delivering care and offering stability when it’s needed most. Whether you're navigating a temporary closure, dealing with disrupted supply chains or supporting displaced patients, you're not alone.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible dedication and resilience pharmacy teams continue to show as they support patients amidst yet another difficult wildfire season. We know a lot more will be asked of them as the season unfolds. Whether it’s ensuring access to essential medications, providing trusted health advice, or simply being a steady presence in a time of crisis, pharmacists are going above and beyond for their communities.”
— Annette Robinson, CPhA Chair