Lethbridge emergency crews will take part in an all day joint training scenario on Sept. 21 at Southminster United Church. The area surrounding the church, on 11 St. S and 4 Ave S, will be closed from 7 a.m. until about 4 p.m., according to the city.
The training exercise will simulate a mass casualty situation in the downtown core and will include actors with simulated injuries, according to Luke Palmer, emergency preparedness manager with the city.
Lethbridge Fire and EMS, police, city, Alberta Health Services and Canadian Red Cross staff will take part in the exercise. Palmer said the actors are volunteers from the college and bothe college and university students are given an opportunity to observe and learn.
“This is something that we are legislated to do every four years but we have a goal here in the city to do it as much as possible and annually if we can,” Palmer said. “We want to make sure that whatever plan we utilize for any response in the community has been practiced and we have identified any deficiencies and to make sure that it actually works for the community.”
The area was chosen partially because the downtown core is the most likely place for a real emergency, Palmer said.