Exercise part of a multi-agency course on responding to wildfire incident

Oyster River Fire Rescue will be testing its mettle this weekend in a mock exercise so that they鈥檒l be prepared in the event of a real wildfire in the area.

On Sunday (June 25), between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Comox Valley and Strathcona regional district鈥檚 emergency programs, as well as Oyster River fire crews, will conduct a functional multi-agency wildland/urban interface exercise in the Pinecrest Road, Doyle Road, Macaulay Road and Sarmma Road areas.

This event prepares emergency teams to respond effectively to a large scale incident affecting both jurisdictions.

The exercise involves staging an actual incident, as well as a reception centre for residents who will be voluntarily evacuated from their homes.

Agencies include the Wildfire Management Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, B.C. Ambulance, Campbell River Search and Rescue, Comox Valley Search and Rescue, Emergency Support Services, RCMP, local governments, Emergency Communications Teams and a large contingency of fire departments from all over the Island.