File photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters

By Liam Verster

Training Going Sept. 17

Emergency exercise to be held at Vernon airport

Sep 17, 2025 | 3:16 PM

An emergency training exercise will be held at the Vernon Regional Airport Thursday.

The training session will see multiple emergency repose partners conduct a full-scape emergency exercise at the airport off Tronson Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17.

The City of Vernon said the training, which is required every four years, “is designed to evaluate the Airport’s Emergency Response Plan and the coordinated response of participating agencies.”

The airport will be closed during the training, and people living near or travelling past the airport may see emergency response vehicles and personnel on site; controlled smoke; volunteers simulating people involved in an incident; and increased activity on the east side of the airfield.

“This exercise is a critical part of our ongoing commitment to safety and emergency preparedness,” Ian Adkins, Manager, Roads, Drainage and Airport, said.

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“By simulating a real-world emergency scenario, we are able to test and refine our response plans, build inter-agency coordination, and ensure we are ready to act swiftly and effectively in the event of an actual incident.”

The agencies participating in the training are the City of Vernon, Vernon Fire Rescue Services, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, B.C. Emergency Health Services, the Vernon Flying Club, and community volunteers.