Brant County officials, emergency personnel, and community partners gathered on October 23 for an annual emergency response exercise that tested the municipality’s readiness for high-impact emergencies.
This year’s simulation involved a dual-crisis scenario: a community-wide water advisory in Cainsville and an explosion in the nearby village of St. George.
The training exercise, conducted by the County of Brant’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), was designed to evaluate real-time decision-making, communication strategies, and inter-agency coordination under pressure.
“Emergency training events are vital for County Council, staff, and community partners,” said Mayor David Bailey.
“They help us prepare for real-life emergencies and ensure we understand our roles and responsibilities. These exercises strengthen our ability to respond effectively and protect our community.”
As part of the simulation, several response operations were activated.
A Reception Centre was established at the Brant Sports Complex to support displaced residents, while a Customer Contact Centre fielded anticipated call volumes.
An Incident Command Post was also deployed to direct on-the-ground response activities.
The exercise brought together a broad range of participants, including County Council members, Brant County staff, the Brant County Fire Department, Brant-Brantford Paramedics, Ontario Provincial Police – West Region, Grand Erie Public Health, City of Brantford Social Services, Enbridge Inc., GrandBridge Energy, and Victim Services of Brant.
“This year’s scenario challenged us to respond to several complex and high-risk situations,” said Alison Newton, Chief Administrative Officer and EOC Commander.
“I’m proud of the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated by our team. The knowledge and skills gained through these exercises give us the confidence and capacity to respond effectively. They are essential to maintaining our readiness and resilience.”
The County is mandated by Ontario Regulation 380/04 to carry out emergency training on an annual basis.
The regulation, part of the broader Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, requires municipalities to establish and test emergency management programs and ensure key personnel are trained to respond to a wide range of hazards.
Community Awareness Also Key
While emergency services test internal systems and protocols, public readiness remains a central component of overall community resilience. The County of Brant is reminding residents of the steps they can take to prepare for emergencies:
- Understand local risks, such as flooding, ice storms, or extended power outages.
- Create a household emergency plan that includes communication and evacuation procedures.
- Build an emergency kit with enough food, water, medication, and essential supplies for 72 hours.
- Stay informed by subscribing to updates at brant.ca/Subscribe and following @brantcommunity on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
- Follow updates from community partners, including Grand Erie Public Health and the Ontario Provincial Police – West Region.
Residents are also urged to avoid affected areas during emergencies to allow first responders to operate safely and efficiently.
For more information about emergency planning resources, visit: brant.ca/EmergencyPlanning.
