The City of St. Albert is pleased to announce that the Manager of Emergency Management, Mark Pickford, has been recognized with the 2025 International Association of Emergency Managers Canada Council Merit Award for Excellence, Leadership and Innovation. This award recognizes an individual who has provided a significant contribution to emergency management in Canada in recent years.  

Under his guidance since 2022, the City’s emergency management program has significantly advanced with initiatives that have been firsts not only for our municipality but for the entire province. Major highlights include:  

• Development of the Rapid Damage Assessment Tool that integrates GIS and demographic data to quickly and accurately identify damaged properties and displayed populations to help streamline recovery efforts  
• Creation of Know Your Zone - the province's only interactive evacuation and shelter-in place map that provides real-time public safety communication during an emergency 
• Initiation and implementation of a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for the corporation and 12 specific department BCPs should a crisis arise 
• Incorporation of Emergency Social Services staff into the Incident Management Team, ensuring a dedicated and rostered staff trained in emergency management 
• Development of the Incident Management Team Roster & Training Administrative Directive 
• Conception and implementation of various training exercises for City employees and the incorporation of multi-agencies for a full-scale exercise 
• Implementation of the Everbridge 360 Mass Emergency Notification System 

These initiatives have improved capacity, addressed operational gaps, increased engagement and enhanced the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our emergency management program.  

Through Mark’s guidance, the City of St. Albert has also been recognized with two additional national Emergency Management awards in 2025:  

• The 2024/2025 Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award for Resilient Communities from Public Safety Canada 
• The 2025 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Willis Award for Innovation 

The City takes great pride in the strides it is taking to enhance its resiliency and preparedness should an incident occur in St. Albert. Mark’s award showcases his leadership and commitment to emergency management that benefits the City’s employees, our organization, outside agencies, and the community as a whole.  

Congratulations Mark on this incredible achievement!  

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