Mock disaster tests local departments as part of Emergency Preparedness Week
By Contributor
Residents are invited to watch a disaster and the resulting emergency response unfold on Saturday, May 6th when a training scenario is staged at the vacant land at Mount St. Francis Hospital, 1300 Gordon Road in Nelson.
As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, the exercise will require several agencies to work together to respond to a mock bus accident that involves mass “casualties” and hazmat conditions.
Spectators are welcome to observe the exercise from the grass bench above Mount St Francis Hospital beginning at 9 a.m. at 1300 Gordon Road.
Participating agencies include RDCK Emergency Services; four of the 18 RDCK volunteer fire departments, including Balfour Harrop Fire Department, Beasley Volunteer Fire Department, Blewett Volunteer Fire Department, North Shore Volunteer Fire Department; Nelson Police; RCMP; BC Ambulance Service; Kootenay Lake Hospital; Nelson Fire and Rescue; BC Corners Service; and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – West Kootenay District.
This is a great way to understand the role that each of these agencies plays in an emergency
event and the services they provide to the public.
Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996. It is a collaborative event undertaken by provincial, regional and local emergency management organizations supporting activities at the local level, in concert with Public Safety Canada and partners. EP Week is an excellent reminder for community members to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:
- Know the risks
- Make a plan
- Get an emergency kit
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the RDCK website.
