Hundreds participate in mock plane crash training exercise in Comox Valley
Hundreds of first responders and military personnel worked together on an exercise for a scenario they hope they will never face in real life.
Numerous agencies cooperated on the mock disaster at Airforce Beach near 19 Wing Comox on Wednesday, called Operation Totem Platinum.
The training exercise simulated an airplane crash with several victims.
The Operation Totem Platinum training exercise is shown. May 17, 2023. (CTV News)"[There are] multiple agencies in the Comox Valley area, but very seldom do we work together, so this exercise is about us learning how to work together in case of a real emergency," said training coordinator captain Eric Germain.
Germain says planning for the event began in September of last year and involved more than 500 people.
"We’re looking at about 20 to 25 civilian agencies, roughly 150 to 200 civilians, and probably another 10 to 15 military agencies and roughly 300 military members," he said.
Along with smoke simulating fire scenes, several "casualty actors" were also used for realism, spread throughout the extensive wreckage area.
One of those portraying a crash survivor was Jennifer Joseph, who works at 19 Wing as an engine technician.
"It’s my first time actually doing this so I’m pretty excited to see how it goes, just act and go have fun with it," she said.
"I’m actually working later today, something fun to do in the morning and then go back to work and talk about it," Joseph said.
The Operation Totem Platinum training exercise is shown. May 17, 2023. (CTV News)Daniel Dielissen is also posing as a victim, complete with extensive makeup.
"We were talking Monday night and [Germain] was like, 'I’ll give you the gnarliest one,' and I was like, 'Yes, sign me up," he said.
The Operation Totem Platinum training exercise is shown. May 17, 2023. (CTV News)The joint exercise was closed to the public and was surrounded by security, not to keep the public out but to maintain an area around the scene as they would do with an actual crash.
Fire departments from Courtenay and Comox, along with marine search and rescue teams, also took part.
The Operation Totem Platinum training exercise is shown. May 17, 2023. (CTV News)Several Emergency Health Services ambulances were also on scene with crews transporting the "victims" to the hospital in Courtenay.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.