Oyster River Fire Rescue will be sweating it out in a mock exercise April 28 in hopes they’ll be less stressed in a real wildfire in the area.
On Sunday, April 28, 2013 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Strathcona Regional District through their Emergency Program, the Oyster River Fire Rescue, the Wildfire Management Branch, the Comox Valley Regional District through their Emergency Program and the Office of the Fire Commissioner will host a wildfire and evacuation exercise in the York Road area of Oyster Bay.
Activities will include the response to a simulated motor vehicle accident on Hwy 19 between Hamm Road and Strathcona Parkway that has caused an intense fire that moves into forested lands towards high voltage lines, a BC Hydro Substation, Fortis gas mainline as well as residential homes on York Road. This exercise is part of a three day course on responding to a “wildland urban interface” incident, so that participating agencies will have the knowledge and training to operate in a safe, effective and efficient manner. This will enhance the skills of the participating agencies to understand the roles and responsibilities of other agencies and to improve emergency response through working jointly and strengthening interagency relations.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is a partnership of four electoral areas and five municipalities providing approximately 43,000 residents with 72 services including parks, liquid and solid waste systems, fire protection, emergency preparedness programs and a full-service sports facility.