Oyster Bay Wildfire and Evacuation Exercise this Weekend

On Sunday, April 28 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, the Comox Valley and Strathcona Regional Districts, through their emergency programs, Oyster Rive Fire Rescue, Wildfire Management Branch, 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, and the 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 by working jointly and strengthening inter-agency relations.