Health News For South West


Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Ontario Tests Emergency Response System

Ontario is launching a large-scale regional emergency exercise in southwestern Ontario to test the province's response to a disaster.

Emergency Management Ontario is co-ordinating Exercise Trillium Resolve, which brings together almost 1,000 people from more than 50 agencies, including all levels of government, Bruce Power, and non-governmental organizations. The exercise running from October 15-19, will simulate disasters, including severe weather and industrial accidents, in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Wellington counties.

During the drill, residents in the area may see emergency vehicles, aircraft and personnel responding to simulated emergencies at various sites, including buildings, roads and other key locations.

Some of the provincial teams taking part include:

  • The Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT) co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
  • The Ontario Provincial Police's Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Team (UCRT)
  • Emergency Management Ontario's Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, based in Toronto.

Quotes:

"Ontario must be ready to respond to natural and man-made disasters effectively to minimize their impact and ensure the safety of Ontario families. A large-scale emergency exercise provides an excellent opportunity to further test our readiness and to work with our partners to strengthen our collective capacity to respond."

– Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Quick Facts:

  • Exercise Trillium Resolve is the final in a series of regional exercise series known as The Huron Challenge.
  • The EMAT is a mobile 56-bed medical field unit that can be deployed anywhere in Ontario with road access within 24 hours.
  • UCRT is made up of highly trained officers prepared to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats and urban search and rescue incidents.

Learn More:


Media Contacts:

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416 314-7024

Seirge Leblanc
Minister’s Office
416-325-2240

© 2013, thehealthline.ca All rights reserved.