Amherstburg Fire joins HMCS Hunter’s “Border Sentinel”

The Amherstburg Fire Department’s boat was part of a recent training exercise in Windsor put on by HMCS Hunter.

The Amherstburg Fire Department joined a training exercise on the water on the weekend.

HMCS (His Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Hunter hosted the small boat Exercise Border Sentinel recently. Naval reservists from across Ontario participated in the hands-on training exercise to strengthen their emergency response skills, ensuring they are ready to support provincial and local authorities during natural disasters and emergencies. A wide range of organizations and agencies were involved in this multi-agency exercise with the Amherstburg Fire Department being one of them.

Other agencies included the Windsor Police Service, the LaSalle Police Service, the LaSalle Fire Department, Essex-Windsor EMS, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Windsor Port Authority and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Lt. Chris Walkinshaw, the public affairs officer, pointed out it was the tenth year for the exercise.

“It brings together the Royal Canadian Navy with partners both federal and local,” said Walkinshaw.

The exercises had numerous scenarios on the water, including a “man overboard” scenario and a “mass casualty” scenario. Lt. Commander Chris Elliott, commanding officer with HMCS Hunter, added it was important to bring everyone together to work on drills and to get everyone ready in case there is an actual emergency on the water that require a multi-agency response.

“We cross-train and work together,” he said. “It’s a way to make sure we know everyone’s names and faces on the water.”

District Chief Jason Durocher of the Amherstburg Fire Department added they are learning a lot through such exercises. 

“This is perfect timing for us,” he added, noting the fire department’s marine unit is getting ready for the boating season locally.

Elliott added they see a lot of high school co-op students come through and they progress through the ranks to where they become key in planning training exercises like the one in late April. He added that HMCS Hunter is actively recruiting.

Amherstburg Fire joins HMCS Hunter’s “Border Sentinel”

By Ron Giofu