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
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.