Local agencies take part in evacuation response exercise

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 6, 2025.

Several local agencies took part in an evacuation response exercise at Medicine Hat College this week.

The exercise, which simulated the arrival of evacuees from a northern First Nations community who had been displaced by a wildfire, was held on Tuesday at Medicine Hat College.

The day’s drill involved city staff, MHC staff and students, the Miywasin Friendship Centre, Red Cross, Animal Pound Services, Root Cellar, Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Hat Accommodation Association, Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.

During the exercise the City’s Emergency Social Services Plan was activated allowing teams to test procedures, identify gaps and document available community support.

The city says First Nations cultural relevance was a key component of the exercise and participants were guided by community partners to support respectful, informed approaches to receiving and assisting evacuees.

A new software tool was also tested which allowed the Incident Management Team to track available resources, like hotel rooms and food services, and monitor their deployment in real time.

“The purpose of this exercise was to determine our capabilities and service levels should we receive evacuees from another community,” said Trampas Brown, manager of emergency management. “We also used the opportunity to bring our Planning, Logistics and Finance teams together to practise their roles and strengthen coordination.”

Following the exercise the city plans to update and improve its Emergency Social Service Plan to ensure a more efficient and effective response during a real incident.

“These exercises provide valuable opportunities to prepare, learn, and continuously improve so the city is ready to respond when needed,” reads a media release.

Each year the city must conduct at least one emergency exercise under legislation.