The Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s put its emergency plan to the test yesterday during a mock disaster that revealed gaps that need filling. But then, that was the point—to identify flaws and make fixes now, just in case it gets real.
Yesterday’s fake scenario involved the crash of a large drone aircraft near Murray’s Pond Country Club.
It was all part of a larger regional exercise involving St. John’s, Mount Pearl and C.B.S., and the mock crash of a military plane at nearby St. John’s International Airport.
Jody Murray, the chief administrative officer for Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, admits the town’s communications went off the rails early on during the drill, which was an eye-opener and crucial learning experience.
“It did help us manage the expectations of what a real emergency would provide,” she said, “and also to show us where the gaps are so that we can do a better job of identifying and addressing them in the future.”
Photos from today's event. @PCSPnl pic.twitter.com/jik5zRva9P
— Portugal Cove-St.Philip’s Fire Department (@PCSPFire) November 22, 2023
