12 Jun Regional Partners Strengthen Emergency Preparedness Through Joint Training and Coordination
The Special Areas Regional Emergency Management Partnership (SA-REMP) is strengthening how communities across the region prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
The SA-REMP brings together Special Areas and its municipal partners—including the Villages of Consort, Empress, Veteran & Youngstown, Towns of Hanna & Oyen and M.D. of Acadia —in a coordinated effort to protect residents and infrastructure during times of crisis. The partnership is designed to put people first by supporting first responders, protecting critical infrastructure, reducing impacts on the environment and economy, and building long-term resilience.
Emergencies today are more frequent and more complex than in the past; events such as wildfires, severe weather, or infrastructure failures can quickly exceed the capacity of a single municipality. The SA-REMP creates a regional structure that allows communities to share resources and expertise, coordinate decision-making across jurisdictions, maintain essential services during large-scale incidents and deliver consistent communication to the public.
“As emergencies continue to evolve, the SA-REMP provides a critical framework for reducing risk, improving readiness, and ensuring a faster, more coordinated response when it matters most. The residents of the Special Areas region can have confidence in knowing their communities are working together proactively to safeguard the region now and into the future.” – David Mohl – Regional Deputy Director of Emergency Management.
On May 28, 2026, partner municipalities participated in an Incident Management Team workshop and tabletop exercise to prepare for the upcoming legislated functional exercise, scheduled for June 22 in Oyen. Building on this work, this hands-on training will simulate a real emergency and test how well teams coordinate communications, make decisions, and deploy resources under realistic conditions. Participants will operate in a controlled but active environment designed to mirror the pressures of a real incident. This collaborative approach ensures that when emergencies happen, responses are unified, efficient, and focused on minimizing harm.
For more information on Fire & Emergency Services in the Special Areas, visit https://specialareas.ab.ca/services/fire-emergency-services/.
