The Road to Recovery from Fix Auto Drayton Valley
In May 2023, Drayton Valley, an Alberta town known for its close-knit community, faced a formidable threat when wildfires threatened on its doorstep. Fix Auto Drayton Valley, run by owners Andy and Lana Moritz and general manager Adrianna, found itself at the center of this disaster. The crisis began with a terrifying phone call from Adrianna to Lana on May 4 at 11 p.m.
“The wildfires are fast approaching Drayton Valley and we have received evacuation orders,” Adrianna reported, her voice shaking. In about an hour, Adrianna had to pack up everything and head with her children to her family in Camrose, Alberta. She had to leave everything else behind – including her husband, who stayed behind to help shut off the oil and gas wells. All personnel had to be displaced and found refuge with family, in schools or in surrounding community camps.
Shortly after the fires approached the city, power outages cut off all communications to the workshop. Without access to the files, the team had no idea where the cars were or how many vehicles were on site. This created a stressful situation, especially when the insurance companies demanded information. Adrianna’s photographic memory proved crucial during this chaotic time.
“We were in a state of complete confusion,” Lana recalled. “Adrianna’s ability to recall details was invaluable.” After two weeks of uncertainty, evacuation orders were lifted just before the May long weekend. No one knew what to expect when they returned, and staff were given extra time to organize. When they returned to the community, the sight of the devastated area was devastating.
“The extent of the damage was shocking,” said Lana. “The fire had reached a city monument. If it had come closer, several buildings would have been destroyed as well.” The power supply was still unstable and important equipment such as paint booths and servers were damaged by surges and outages.
Although fortunately there was no smoke damage, the workshop was in chaos as vehicles had to be rescheduled for several weeks. Claims continued to pour in and administration became a nightmare. June bookings were pushed back to September and it took almost eight months to catch up to production. “The amount of rescheduling and dealing with claims was overwhelming,” said Adrianna. “But we knew we had to keep going.”
The wildfires caused tremendous personal, financial and emotional devastation. Employees and management were faced with the stress of displacement, the uncertainty of returning home and the monumental task of restarting operations. “The emotional toll was significant,” Lana recalls. “But the resilience of our team was truly inspiring.”
Customers who were themselves struggling with the aftermath of the wildfires often took their frustration out on the store. “People were desperate,” Adrianna explained. “It was challenging to deal with their stress while we were dealing with our own, but we were understanding of their situation.”
Living in Calgary, Lana and Andy relied heavily on Adrianna’s leadership in Drayton Valley. Adrianna set up a group chat for employees to ensure everyone stayed connected and supported each other. She tirelessly organized check-ins, communicated with customers and insurance companies, and coordinated inventory with the larger Fix Auto brand support team. Her dedication and hard work were critical in getting the team through this crisis.
“Adrianna was the anchor we all needed,” Lana said. “Her leadership was critical to keeping the business afloat.” Despite the devastation, none of the employees lost their homes. The fire reached the city limits but miraculously stopped just feet from causing further destruction. The Drayton Valley community hosted lunches and supported one another, demonstrating their resilience.
“The community spirit was incredible,” noted Adrianna. “Everyone came together to support each other in ways we never could have imagined.”
Adrianna’s leadership, coupled with the dedication of the team, embodied the spirit of Drayton Valley. With perseverance and dedication, they overcame one of the most difficult times of their lives. Adrianna’s exceptional leadership during this crisis not only saved the company, but also strengthened the cohesion within the team and the community.
“I will never forget that phone call with Adrianna,” Lana said. “We are incredibly grateful that everyone was safe and we were able to rebuild stronger than before.”
Thanks to their hard work and resilience, Fix Auto Drayton Valley has risen from the ashes and is ready to face the future with renewed strength and unity.
Their journey through adversity highlighted their collective strength and sense of community and truly embodied the ethos of the Fix Auto brand. With their unwavering resilience and dedication, they have shown that teamwork and perseverance overcome any obstacle.
