(Cochrane, AB) – The Town of Cochrane recently brought municipal leadership and emergency-management partners together for a tabletop exercise designed to test emergency response plans and strengthen the Town’s readiness for a potential emergency incident.
As part of the Town’s commitment to emergency preparedness and its obligations under Alberta’s emergency-management legislation, the exercise simulated the critical first hour of a train derailment involving potentially hazardous materials.
Participants worked through key aspects of the response, including timely decision-making, roles and responsibilities, public communications, potential evacuations and shelter-in-place measures, and support for affected residents. Discussions also explored when declaring a State of Local Emergency might be necessary to access additional emergency resources.
The discussion-based rail incident exercise did not involve a live emergency response or cause disruptions to the community. Lessons learned will help refine emergency plans, improve coordination among partners and strengthen the Town’s ability to protect and support residents should an emergency occur.
“Effective emergency response starts long before an incident occurs. Exercises like this bring our emergency partners together to put plans into practice, strengthen coordination and identify opportunities for improvement,” says Jay Judin, Director of Community Safety and Emergency Management. “By preparing and learning together, we can build a stronger, more coordinated response that protects and supports our community when it matters most.”
“During an emergency, every decision matters. This exercise reinforced the importance of being prepared to act quickly, make informed decisions and provide clear direction when our community needs it most,” says Mayor Nagel. “Working through these scenarios helps Council better understand its governance role and strengthens our ability to coordinate an effective response that prioritizes the safety of Cochrane residents.”
The recent exercise is part of the Town’s commitment to emergency preparedness, building on years of training, planning and collaboration with emergency response partners. Most recently, in 2024, the Town partnered with Search and Rescue Alberta for a three-day, large-scale emergency exercise involving approximately 200 search and rescue members from across the province. The exercise simulated an approaching wildfire, including the activation of the Town’s Emergency Coordination Centre and mock evacuation notifications in designated neighbourhoods, helping test response procedures and strengthen community preparedness.
Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official Town communication channels and take proactive steps to prepare their households by having an emergency plan and essential supplies ready should an emergency occur. For more information about emergency preparedness, visit cochrane.ca/emergencypreparedness
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