The City of Fort McMurray received a Safe Community Spirit Award in recognition of its efforts to promote the well being of its citizens and commitment to partnerships that encourage safe/healthy lifestyles.
The process that led Fort McMurray to be recognized as a role model began in 1991 through a demonstration project in social marketing by the University of Alberta.
The City of Fort McMurray, service groups, Northern Lights Regional Health Authority, Keyano College and the RCMP were all stakeholders.
At the request of the World Health Organization (WHO) the City of Fort McMurray was invited to formally apply for WHO membership.
1993
Responding to that request, the Fort McMurray Safe/Healthy Community Steering Committee was formed adopting the vision statement: "to be safe and healthy in all we do," and identifying safety initiatives and gaps in services.
1994
A visit by Dr. Leif Svanstrom - a professor of social medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden followed. Dr. Svanstrom, also chairman of the Department of International Health and Social Medicine, confirmed the initiatives taking place in Fort McMurray and offered some direction to the steering committee to prepare for a conference.
1995
Fort McMurray hosted the 4th International Conference on Safe Communities and at that time, was designated the 12th International Safe Community- the 1st in North America.
1996
The Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Board evolved from the steering committee refocused and was renamed to "Network."
2002
Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Community Network earned its Canadian designation through Safe Communities Foundation, presented with its certification at a June ceremony. At that time the Network was one of only three communities in North America to hold dual designation.
2006
While the name Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Community Network will remain the legal identity, stakeholders voted to change the branding name to Safe Community Wood Buffalo.
