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News Release

Emergency exercise of the west municipalities successful

WHITBY, ON  October 24, 2008 -- The Durham Emergency Management Office and four local area municipalities - the towns of Ajax and Whitby, and townships of Uxbridge and Brock - co-ordinated a multi-jurisdictional emergency exercise this morning.

The aim of the exercise was to provide the opportunity for staff in each of the Municipal Emergency Operations Centres (MEOC) to practise communication co-ordination, decision making, control and inter-agency co-operation within a defined emergency management system. Exercise activities were designed to meet provincial emergency management standards.

Each MEOC assessed the simulated emergency situation, identified requirements and developed emergency response action plans in coordination with the Regional Emergency Operations Centre.

"The exercise was very successful," said Ivan Ciuciura, Director of Emergency Management.  "Participants accessed, processed and co-ordinated information, as well as effectively communicated, in order to manage the simulated emergency event."

Durham Region and local area municipalities conduct exercises on a regular basis as part of their ongoing emergency management programs. To learn more about emergency management, exercises and training, visit the website at www.durham.ca/demo.

Media Inquiries:
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Ivan Ciuciura - Director of Emergency Management 905-430-2792
Denise Murray - Corporate Communications Officer 905-668-7711 ext. 3813