Last week, an Emergency Management Training Exercise in Airdrie's northwest brought together multiple emergency agencies to test a large-scale evacuation plan and assess how these agencies would conduct damage assessments in the event of a disaster.
According to Lori Laface, the city's Emergency Management Coordinator, the municipal emergency management plan employs an all-hazards approach designed to address various emergencies.
"We could be using that for [a] tornado where people are displaced from their homes, [or] a wildfire. We could be using it for a chemical release on the rail," she said.
The plan also emphasizes damage assessment, particularly by learning from recent wildfires. This focus ensures that affected communities receive timely information. The goal is to help people understand the recovery process, including early assessments and long-term recovery strategies.
Laface noted that the exercise aimed to create realistic emergency scenarios by incorporating practical elements. This approach helps participants feel more comfortable in their roles. While some artificiality is inevitable, she observed that participants genuinely engaged in the drill, making it feel authentic. They walked through plans, discussed "what if" scenarios, and practiced door-to-door communication regarding emergency preparedness.
"Even though these aren't real, there are aspects that we can pull from our drills that really test our plans, and they do allow us to say, 'these things would work, these timelines are valid,'" Laface explained.
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The training’s effectiveness was evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. During the drill, participants received forms to express their feelings and identify barriers. Detailed maps of Airdrie enabled organizers to track evacuation timelines accurately, recording timestamps for participants’ departures and returns to assess whether their actions aligned with expected timelines.
Multiple controllers observed the exercise, noting participants' performance against clear objectives. Following the exercise, quick debriefs and a comprehensive after-action review will be conducted to share findings with public officials and ensure they are informed of the outcomes.
The City’s Fire Chief, Mike Pirie, emphasized the commitment to ensuring the safety of participants while minimizing disruption to the community. He noted that the city implemented signage, social media advisories, and pre-briefings to facilitate positive interactions between staff and residents. This focus allows for educational outreach without causing significant disturbances.
Pirie also highlighted the value of experienced mentors present during the exercise. These mentors provided guidance and support at no cost, enhancing the skills of Airdrie staff and regional partners.
"If you invest in your neighbour, you are 100 per cent investing in yourself as well because we take turns helping each other," he stated.
This exercise, part of the city's regularly scheduled Emergency Management training, included members of the City Administration, Council, the City’s incident management and emergency social services teams, Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Calgary Emergency Management Agency, Rocky View County, RCMP, Salvation Army, Community Links, AHS, and CANTF all participating in the one-day training.
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