Army reservists train for potential natural disasters this weekend
This weekend local army reservists are taking part in training exercises across the province as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have had to respond to more natural disasters in recent years.
On Saturday morning, army reservists at London's Wolseley Barracks prepared for a potential domestic emergency.
The exercise, called TRILLUM DRAGON allowed for about 100 soldiers from 31 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) to work in a domestic emergency scenario and planned out how to respond to it.
“Today’s scenario that we are working through today is an ice storm,” said Lt.-Col. Shawn Dumbreck.
“If you look back in history we do have those examples so we are preparing, should those scenarios happen again.”
Dumbreck said this training event is taking place across Ontario under the command of the Joint Task Force Central in Toronto.
Training is meant to provide practice in the event of natural disasters including severe flooding, storms, forest fires, and more.
Within the headquarters shelter system (HQSS) at the barracks, soldiers practice communication with army personnel to prepare for real circumstances where they are needed.
Lieut. Kristina Kacmarova, signal troop commander is one of 100 soldiers from 31 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) who participated in the training in London, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (Jenn Basa/CTV News London)
“Examples would be the 2021 flooding that happened in British Columbia and the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred,” said Lieut. Kristina Kacmarova, signal troop commander.
The HQSS took up to two weeks to set up, said Kacmarova. The semi-permanent structure can also be dismantled and shipped to other areas if needed.
“It’s a reassuring thing for different levels of government and Canadian citizens to understand that the armed forces are preparing to support them the best they can,” said Dumbreck.
Other troops from the CBG took part in a bridge-building exercise this weekend in Shedden.
On Saturday members of the public were invited to see combat engineers construct and dismantled a temporary bridge across Talbot creek.
Reservists arrived on Friday evening from parts of Southwestern Ontario to conduct the exercise and are expected to complete their training by the end of Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.