YVR holds annual emergency training Tuesday

Passengers at Vancouver International Airport may see an unusually high number of emergency personnel on Tuesday as YVR conducts its annual emergency training exercise. The airport says there is no cause for concern and that normal operations will not be affected.

The exercise, required by Transport Canada, is intended to test and improve emergency-response capabilities. It will simulate an aircraft emergency and involve a coordinated response at the airport and across the Lower Mainland.

YVR says activity related to the exercise may be visible on the airfield and in the terminal from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 15. Participants and volunteers may portray distressed or injured people as part of the scenario.

Participants will be clearly identified by vests, and signs will be posted throughout the airport to inform passengers about the exercise, YVR says.

More than 400 people from 25 agencies will take part. The airport says the training requires collaboration among airport teams, emergency responders, airlines, government agencies, first responders and other partners to test procedures, strengthen coordination and improve preparedness for emergencies at YVR.