Emergency Exercises

York Region's comprehensive Emergency Plan is designed to protect and preserve life and property during times of crisis by providing efficient, co-ordinated response capabilities and decision-making. The Region takes part in annual exercises to test the effectiveness of its Plan and ensure that all agencies are familiar with their respective roles in the event of an actual emergency.

Through their participation in simulated emergencies, participating agencies are able to identify strengths and areas needing improvement in their plans, policies and procedures prior to an actual emergency.

2010

"Operation Strike Three", conducted on May 31, 2010, simulated a multiple-site scenario. A severe thunderstorm generates a microburst that destroys two Hydro One transmission towers, causing a power blackout in the Town of Markham. It also causes a cargo plane to crash onto Hwy 400. One of its engines, however, first tears off and crashes into the South Maple Pumping Station, threatening a loss of water to local municipalities. This intense scenario once again utilized a "sim cell" - a cadre of experienced players who called into the REOC simulating those at the incident sites, evacuation centre, and many other agencies involved in responding to the event.

2009

York Region conducted "Operation Green Day" on May 25, 2009. It simulated a chlorine spill at the Keswick Water Pollution Control Plant, requiring local residents to either evacuate or "shelter in place." This first-time exposure to a hazardous-materials incident for many in the REOC also saw the introduction of a "sim cell" - a second room full of experienced people simulating actors involved in the response to the emergency. Through telephone calls, email messages and faxes into the REOC, they provided the details of the response to the members of the REOC, to which they responded.

2008

"Operation On-The-Move - Spring Thaw" was held May 26, 2008. It simulated amplified flood conditions experienced earlier in the spring in low-lying areas in the Township of King, and the Towns of East Gwillimbury and Georgina. York Region Emergency Management partnered with Health Services Long Term Care & Seniors Branch, and Vaughan Emergency Management for this exercise.

2007

York Region conducted "Operation Rising Waters" on October 29, 2007. It consisted of simulated flooding in the region, the evacuation of residents, and the opening of reception centres. Participating municipalities included the Town of Georgina, the Town of East Gwillimbury, the Town of Newmarket, the Town of Aurora, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority.

2006

Exercise "Flu Ready", held October 23, 2006, focussed on an influenza pandemic affecting Canada, Ontario and ultimately York Region. Conducted as an interactive workshop, it concentrated on key issues – decision-making, the impact on the delivery of essential services, the interface between levels of government, the dissemination of public information, and the role of media relations. 

2005

Exercise "Whiteout" simulated severe weather conditions due to a major snow storm in the region. It was held on November 28, 2005 and involved York Region, the Town of Newmarket, the Town of Aurora, and the Town of Richmond Hill.

2004

Field exercise "Long-Term Care" took place on November 3 & 4, 2004. It involved a simulated, unidentified gas causing a respiratory outbreak in two long-term care facilities in Newmarket and Maple and their subsequent partial evacuation.

2002

York Region simulated a mass casualty emergency exercise involving a collision between a tanker truck and a GO Transit train on Timothy Street in Newmarket on May 29, 2002. Exercise "Timothy" involved York Region, the Town of Newmarket, GO Transit, York Regional Police, and Central York Fire Services.