Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services will conduct swift water rescue training during the staged large-scale emergency exercise on Wednesday, May 27. (Image Credit: File Photo/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Testing flood response operations

Full-scale emergency exercise conducted by City of Medicine Hat next Wednesday

May 22, 2026 | 8:44 AM

The City of Medicine Hat will stage a large-scale emergency exercise next week designed to test how the community would respond to major flooding along the South Saskatchewan River.

The exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, and involves multiple city departments and emergency response agencies, who will perform simulated flood-response operations across several locations in the city.

City officials say the annual exercise is part of legislated emergency preparedness requirements and is not connected to any current or anticipated flood threat.

The scenario will test the city’s Emergency Social Services Plan, including mock evacuation procedures in the River Flats neighbourhood and the setup of a reception centre at Big Marble Go Centre.

Crews will also install temporary flood protection systems in Strathcona Island Park and along Factory Street as part of the simulation.

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Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services will conduct swift water rescue training during the exercise, and HALO Air Ambulance is scheduled to perform a rooftop rescue exercise at the Heritage Pavilion in Strathcona Island Park.

Additional training activities will include infrastructure response drills, facility protection measures and coordinated operations, all aimed at maintaining public safety during a flood emergency.

Residents can expect several temporary disruptions throughout the day. Vehicle access into Strathcona Island Park will be closed from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and trails in the area will remain open. The city is asking the public to stay clear of active training zones.

Factory Street will also be temporarily closed from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., though businesses in the area will remain accessible.

The exercise will involve participation from several other agencies, including Alberta Health Services, Southeast Alberta Search and Rescue, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Medical Services.

by Jesse Gill

Full-scale emergency exercise conducted by City of Medicine Hat next Wednesday

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