Emergency responders from across the Elk Valley and South Country will be participating in a full-scale emergency exercise later this month designed to test the Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) Elk Valley and South Country Emergency Management Program.

“The exercise will test everything from inter-agency cooperation and response times, to procedures, information systems, communications, coordination and more,” explained Elk Valley and South Country Emergency Program Coordinator Marianne Stone.

People can expect to see emergency vehicles and activity in and around Sparwood, including the Sparwood Hospital, as well as Fernie, Elkford, Hosmer and Elko between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on October 19, during the exercise.

Up to 12 agencies are expected to take part in the day, with dozens of volunteers and emergency program personnel participating in the event. There will be no impact to regular emergency response or health care facilities during this time.

“At the end of the day, we will get together and take part in a detailed debrief about what worked well and what could be improved upon. Every one of these lessons will help us be better prepared in the event of a real emergency,” added Stone.

The RDEK hosts a full-scale exercise each year in one of its three Emergency Management Program areas.

RDEK

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