Over the past several months Ally worked with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to plan and facilitate an emergency exercise focused on FIFA preparedness. Held in mid-April, the exercise was conducted in parallel with a broader City of Vancouver FIFA exercise, enabling real-time coordination among agencies preparing for a significant influx of visitors and increased operational demands during the tournament period.

For YVR, the exercise was designed to test the airport’s ability to respond to a major security-related incident. Participants included the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Public Affairs team, executive leadership, and operational personnel. Representatives from the RCMP and Securiguard also participated, helping create a realistic multi-agency environment reflective of how a real-world response would unfold.

Building a Realistic Exercise Scenario for FIFA Preparedness

Emergency exercises of this scale begin with a briefing that provides participants with the foundational information needed to begin the exercise. From there, the scenario unfolds gradually through a series of pre-planned “injects” delivered by phone calls, emails, radio communications, face-to-face interactions, and written messages.

For this exercise, the scenario involved a developing security threat within the regional transportation network that escalated into a broader public safety incident connected to FIFA-related activity. Specific scenario details were intentionally limited to maintain realism and encourage participants to seek out and assess evolving information in real time.

Exercise Play and Coordination

The goal of an emergency exercise is to replicate, as closely as possible, the operational environment of a real emergency. Participants are expected to carry out their normal roles and responsibilities, including making operational decisions, coordinating with partner agencies, sharing information, and managing public communications.

To ensure exercise activity is not mistaken for a real-world incident, all exercise-related communications begin with the phrase “Exercise, Exercise, Exercise” before any scenario details are discussed.

The Role of the Simulation Cell (SIMCELL)

A key component of many emergency exercises is the Simulation Cell, commonly referred to as the “SIMCELL.” The SIMCELL acts as the bridge between exercise participants and agencies or individuals who are not directly participating in the exercise.

For example, if a participant needs to contact an outside agency such as 911 emergency dispatch, they communicate through the SIMCELL rather than making real-world emergency calls. Personnel staffing the SIMCELL simulate those interactions and relay information to participating agencies as needed, helping maintain realism while ensuring exercise activities remain controlled and safe.

Capturing Lessons Learned

At the conclusion of the exercise, participants, evaluators, and planners take part in a facilitated debrief known as a “hotwash.” This session provides an opportunity to discuss strengths, identify improvement opportunities, and clarify observations while the experience is still fresh.

Key observations and discussion points are documented and later incorporated into a post-exercise report that captures lessons learned and helps inform YVR’s FIFA preparedness, as well as more general future planning, training, and exercises.

Ally has proudly supported YVR’s emergency management program since 2017, working alongside airport emergency planners to design and facilitate both tabletop and full-scale exercises. This included a Full-Scale Emergency Exercise also focused on FIFA preparedness in the fall of 2025. These exercises play an important role in strengthening coordination, validating emergency plans, and ensuring agencies are prepared to respond effectively during real-world incidents.

—

To learn more about how Ally supports clients in the transportation sector, including YVR and Rocky Mountaineer, visit our portfolio pages for individual case studies of emergency exercises we have designed and executed for clients.