A Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) disaster response team will be participating in training exercises around the island starting this week, including Port Alberni.
Starting Monday, Feb. 20, members of the Kingston, Ontario-based 1st Canadian Division will be on Vancouver Island conducting Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) exercises around Comox, Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Campbell River.
These exercises will practice dealing with humanitarian disasters where Canadian military assets need to be deployed. Canada has deployed DART members to numerous countries since 1998, including Nepal following an earthquake in 2015 and the Philippines following a typhoon in 2013.
The team will be arriving in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to Maj. Isabelle Bresse of the CAF, at which point they will decide on the specifics of their exercise in the area.