The Canadian Armed Forces will conduct an emergency response exercise with local government and partner agencies in the Mattawa and North Bay area on the weekend of May 3-5.
Exercise Trillium Venture is being held across Ontario. It’s led by Joint Task Force Central, headquartered in Toronto, and includes members of the Canadian Armed Forces from the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Navy.
CAF members and assets will respond to a simulated, major flooding emergency and prepare a unified response with local, regional, and other partners in the community.
You may see increased military vehicle, water, and air traffic with military vehicles operating on area roads.
Officials say no weapons or ammunition will be present during this exercise.
Approximately 200 soldiers from the Canadian Army’s 33 Canadian Brigade Group will form 33 Territorial Battalion Group, including soldiers from the local area and region deploying to the North Bay and Mattawa areas in a realistic emergency response scenario. CAF assets from 22 Wing North Bay and the Naval Reserve will also participate in this joint exercise.
The exercise will also include the participation of other government departments and first responders, including police and fire services, Emergency Management Ontario, local governments, and others.
The Mike Rodden Arena in Mattawa will serve as a headquarters and house nearly 150 soldiers. Approximately 50 members will operate from Canadian Forces Base North Bay and the Martin Leo Troy Armoury on Chippewa St. West. Increased military vehicle traffic between these locations on Highway 17 and surrounding roads can be expected, and the Mike Rodden Arena and parking lot will be inaccessible during the exercise as the location will serve as a base for military personnel, vehicles, and equipment.
The public is invited to attend a “Meet-a-Soldier” event at the museum at Explorer's Point Park, 285 First Street, Mattawa on May 4, from 1-4 p.m.
Various military and other first responders’ vehicles and equipment will be displayed, and personnel from the CAF and participating organizations will be available to speak. Recruiters will be on-site to discuss the many employment opportunities and to provide information on how to join part-time, or full-time.
"This important training supports year-round preparations for emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like flooding and wildfires, as our members maintain readiness to deploy in response to requests for assistance and to serve alongside community members and other first responders," says a news release.
All Canadian Army Reserve vehicle operators train regularly and maintain specialized qualifications and proficiency in safe and effective vehicle and equipment operations, and regularly test discipline, safety, and effectiveness while operating various vehicle platforms.
"All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience in these areas during the exercise dates, and you are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles," a release stated.
