Winnipeg, MB – On Tuesday, April 30, 2024 the City of Winnipeg is hosting Exercise AIR Aware, a daylong exercise simulating what could happen in the event of an air quality emergency within Winnipeg.
The City’s Emergency Social Services (ESS) team, Canadian Red Cross, and other partner agencies, are setting up a mock Clean Air Centre at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place (90 Sinclair St.).
The City has not opened a clean air space in recent history, but may need to do so in the near future, as climate change is increasing the number of wildfires and smoke hours across Canada.
“The increasing number of wildfires and poor air quality from wildfire smoke we’re seeing is concerning, and we need to be prepared in the event poor air quality affects Winnipeg,” said Mike Olczyk, the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator. “This exercise will be a team effort along with our partnering agencies. It’s important that we’re ready to work together if we ever need to open a Clean Air Centre.”
Volunteers will be participating in the simulation, and will arrive at the mock Clean Air Centre throughout the day to receive support from a variety of services that will be offered.
The City is required to conduct regular exercises in accordance with The Emergency Measures Act. This exercise will allow the City, the Canadian Red Cross, and partner agencies to work together practicing the set-up and delivery of support services in a mock Clean Air Centre. Services such as meet and greet, registration and inquiry, health assessment, and food service will be simulated through the use of volunteers acting as Winnipeg residents.
This exercise will help ensure we’re better prepared to operate a Clean Air Centre and support residents with a safe space to go if poor air quality affects Winnipeg in the future.