If you see soldiers and military vehicles moving across Northumberland County beginning in mid-April, don’t be alarmed.
The 31 Canadian Brigade Group of the Canadian Army Reserve from London, Ontario will be holding a domestic training exercise on April 26 and 27 in the county. The advance team will arrive mid-April, and all personnel will depart by April 30 following cleanup operations.
According to a media release from Northumberland County, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has been planning the large-scale exercise since last spring, as part of an expansion of training efforts to ensure operational readiness for domestic disasters.
The training exercise will provide military personnel with hands-on experience while also fostering collaboration with local municipalities and emergency management partners, the release states.
County residents can expect to see a military presence beginning in mid-April, with around 800 troops, military vehicles, and support staff operating in Hamilton Township, the Town of Cobourg, Cramahe Township, and Alderville First Nation. Some activity, including driver personnel training, may extend beyond these areas.
“This training exercise is an excellent opportunity for Northumberland County and our local municipalities to collaborate with the Canadian Armed Forces, reinforcing our collective preparedness for emergency situations,” says Colleen McCabe, the county’s health, safety, and emergency risk manager.
“We want to reassure our residents that this is strictly a training event, not a real emergency,” McCabe adds. “While you may see increased military activity across the county, there is no cause for concern.”
The soldiers will not be armed, and the CAF will manage its own security and first-aid response. Northumberland County’s emergency services have been briefed and will provide support if required through normal response channels.
While residents are not permitted to observe the training activities for safety reasons, they are encouraged to welcome military personnel if they encounter them in the community.
