County of Brant holds annual Emergency Training Exercise

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the County of Brant held an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) training exercise to test and strengthen emergency response efforts and coordination among municipal staff and partner agencies.

The exercise simulated a critical incident involving a vehicle collision, gas leak, and event at the County of Brant Customer Service Office in Paris. The fictional scenario was designed to challenge participants to respond to evolving emergency conditions while testing the County's emergency management plans, communications processes, and decision-making procedures.

During the exercise, County staff activated the Emergency Operations Centre and worked alongside emergency management partners including the County of Brant Fire Department, Brant County O.P.P., Brant-Brantford Paramedic Services and Grand Erie Public Health. Representatives from Emergency Management Ontario also attended.

"Exercises such as this provide valuable opportunities to evaluate our emergency plans and strengthen our ability to respond to potential emergencies," said Cindy Stevenson, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services. "This year’s exercise allowed staff and partners to practice working together in a coordinated setting, identify areas for improvement, and enhance our overall preparedness."

The County of Brant annually holds an emergency management training exercise as part of its commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness and ensuring compliance with provincial emergency management requirements. An Emergency Management Program Committee also meets quarterly to discuss and review emergency planning procedures for the municipality.

Emergency planning and preparedness

Following emergency training exercises is the perfect time to remind the public of the following key items to keep in mind when preparing for emergencies or responding to one:

·        Know the risks in your area (flooding, power outages, etc.)

·        Create an emergency plan

·        Build an emergency kit – for both your home and vehicle

·        Sign up for County news and notices at www.brant.ca/Subscribe and follow @brantcommunity on Facebook, Instagram and X. We also encourage the public to subscribe to email updates from community partners including Grand Erie Public Health, Grand River Conservation Authority, and to follow their social media channels as well as O.P.P

Should an emergency occur, we remind the public to avoid the affected area(s). Emergency response teams and municipal staff work diligently to ensure the safety of our communities. Staying clear of areas impacted by emergencies allows them to do their jobs effectively and helps keep everyone safe.

Residents can learn more about emergency planning and how to prepare themselves and their families by visiting the County of Brant's Emergency Planning section on our website at www.brant.ca/EmergencyPlanning