In September 2024, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) tested its emergency response capabilities through a large-scale Full-Scale Exercise (FSX) simulating a major aircraft incident. For the seventh year in a row, Ally proudly partnered with the YVR team, contributing to the planning, design, and execution of this mandatory exercise, alongside a series of complementary tabletop exercises (TTXs) that helped validate various response procedures.
This year’s FSX was a significant undertaking, involving over 160 participants from 8 external agencies. It saw the mobilization of firefighting, policing, and medical teams, all essential for the success of the exercise. The collaborative efforts of these agencies were crucial in creating a realistic and effective training environment.
Despite the challenges posed by heavy rain on the day of the exercise, the teams displayed remarkable resilience. They successfully deployed fire resources to the simulated damaged aircraft, coordinated the logistics for injured and deceased passengers, and managed the processing of uninjured passengers through Canadian customs at the airport’s transfer facility.
A key highlight of the exercise was the opportunity for YVR’s communications team to practice their real-time crisis management skills. They effectively handled critical messaging for the public and media, as well as for the families of those involved in the incident—an essential component of crisis communication.
Participating agencies included:
- BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS)
- Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- City of Richmond, including Richmond Fire Rescue Services
- Health Emergency Management BC
- NAV Canada
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- Salvation Army
- United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)
- YVR Fire and Rescue
Ally commends the YVR Exercise Planning Committee and all stakeholders for their outstanding teamwork and execution. We look forward to collaborating in future planning efforts to ensure the continued safety and preparedness of the airport.
