NEWS FILE PHOTO The City of Medicine Hat has announced a mock disaster drill will take place on June 5 at the Canalta Centre.
A mock disaster drill will be held June 5 to help local agencies prepare for mass emergency response, the City of Medicine Hat announced on Thursday.
The exercise will be staged at the Canalta Centre and involve the city’s fire and police services, Alberta Health Services and other responders, according to a release.
“We practice full-scale emergency situations every few years,” said Merrick Brown, the city’s director of emergency management. “It’s a great test for every organization involved to make sure that we are ready in the event of an emergency.”
The area will be cordoned off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day though it should not impede motorists or other businesses or activity in the surrounding Box Springs Business Park.
As well, authorities say that the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital will remain fully open for public services and city’s other fire and emergency operations won’t be affected.
The public is asked to avoid the immediate area during the drill.
The city is also seeking volunteers to act as evacuees on the day of the training event.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone to gain more of an understanding about how the city manages this type of event,” said Jason Wheeler, the city’s health and safety coordinator.
Potential volunteers should contact Wheeler at 403-529-8340, or by emailing him directly (jaswhe@medicinehat.ca).
