YVR emergency exercise took place on September 15

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) conducted its annual full-scale emergency exercise on September 15 to test and strengthen emergency response capabilities across the airport community. 

Safety is YVR’s top priority and a responsibility the airport takes seriously for the 28,000 people who work in various roles at YVR, and the more than 26 million travellers it welcomes annually.  

This year’s exercise was attended by more than 400 participants from 25 agencies, simulated an aircraft emergency at the airport, and involved a coordinated response from partners both at YVR and throughout the Lower Mainland. 

Passengers and visitors may have noticed exercise-related activity on the airfield and in the terminal between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on September 15. Exercise participants and volunteers portrayed distressed or injured individuals as part of the training scenario. All participants were clearly identified with vests, and signs were posted throughout the airport to notify passengers of the exercise. 

Hosting full-scale exercises is a key component of YVR’s Emergency Management Program and is required by Transport Canada. In addition, YVR conducts tabletop exercises, training sessions, and smaller emergency drills throughout the year. 

These activities required extensive collaboration across airport teams, emergency responders, airlines, government agencies, and other partners. By training together regularly and in realistic scenarios, YVR is able to test procedures, strengthen coordination, and enhance preparedness to help ensure the airport community is ready to respond to any situation at YVR safely and effectively. 

Airport operations were not affected by this exercise.