Please be advised that the Ottawa International Airport Authority will be conducting its annual emergency exercise tomorrow, December 7, from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m.

The exercise, which is a requirement under the Authority’s Ground Lease with Transport Canada, will feature an on-airport incident that requires the intervention and support of Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service, as well as Air Canada, NAV CANADA and our own Airport Fire Service and operational teams. The key intent of exercises such as this one is to test the Airport’s Emergency Plan and supporting structure, as well as to ensure effective communications and cooperation between participants, all with a view to ensuring the safety and security of passengers, the public and YOW employees.

Once completed, exercise participants will conduct an immediate “hot wash” to identify any issues and opportunities for learning that may have arisen as the scenario played out. A more detailed debrief will be conducted in mid-December and a formal After Action Report will be completed in January. 

“Emergency exercises may be a federal requirement, however, we view them as a vital element of our training and emergency management program,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Planning realistic scenarios that test not only Authority staff but our collaboration with City of Ottawa first responders and other partners in a live airport setting is key to ensuring an effective emergency response as we work to keep our passengers and employees safe and secure.”

The exercise is not open to the public or the media, however, the Authority will publish its findings and lessons learned post-exercise.