Disaster exercise to test Alberta's emergency response team

Albertas emergency response experts will be put to the test over the next two days as a simulated ice storm sweeps across the province, bringing mass casualties, derailments, collapsing buildings and power outages.

The emergency management exercise, aimed at testing the governments response to potential disasters, is held annually but this years will be the largest and most complex yet, said Municpal Affairs Minister Diana McQueen.

The mock ice storm will be held as a live exercise in Thorhild, 80 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, as well as a virtual exercise in eight other Alberta communities.

More than 100 members of Albertas all-hazards disaster response team, known as Canada Task Force 2 will be deployed in Thorhild, she said.

Representatives from all levels of government, First Nations, industry, and emergency management agencies will also participate.