High River's Director of Emergency Management, Carly Benson, is just back from helping oversee operations in Fort McMurray.

Benson says it was an eye opening experience for sure.

"The devastation up there and the extent of the disaster was really, it was really humbling to be able to go up and help and see what happened and then try and help and get people home."

Benson who'll return to Fort Mac in the next day or so, says she's learned a lot over the past week and will try to work those lessons into High River's disaster plan.

"There were a lot of lessons I took away from that. Both for how to make High River's Emergency Management Program stronger. Some ideas for how to get out community members more engaged. And then just in general for Alberta to strengthen emergency management across the Province."

The Town will hold two emergency preparedness open houses on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 at the Charles Clark Medical Centre from 9 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. both days.

Saturday's session is aimed at the Town's growing Filipino community, while Sunday's is open to everyone.