Canada and Jamaica Strengthen Disaster Response Capabilities Through Exercise READY RENAISSANCE
May 21, 2024 - Defence Stories
Author: Lieutenant-Commander Delphine Bonnardot, PhD, DART Senior Public Affairs Officer
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Group picture- From April 25 to May 8, 2024, approximately 20 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and Jamaica Defence Forces members participated in Exercise READY RENAISSANCE, the annual readiness exercise conducted by 1st Canadian Division Headquarters, in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
From April 25 to May 8, 2024, approximately 20 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) participated in Exercise READY RENAISSANCE, the annual readiness exercise conducted by 1st Canadian Division Headquarters. This iteration was the first to be held outside of Canada since the COVID-19 outbreak, and it included participation and support from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, Global Affairs Canada, and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
The exercise presented a simulated scenario where a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The Canadian Disaster Assessment Team (CDAT) from Global Affairs Canada supported the exercise, as the DART Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) assessed local needs and conducted reconnaissance in Jamaica to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response to the Jamaican government and affected populations.
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Master Warrant Officer Nathalie Lavallière, a material management technician, member of the Canadian Armed Forces Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) Recce team, conducts a logistic needs assessment with members of the Jamaica Defence Forces during Exercise Ready Renaissance on April 30, 2024, in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
Exercise READY RENAISSANCE 24 is a regularly scheduled event that trains the CAF Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) leadership and enhances interoperability between the CAF and partner nations in disaster response operations.
By practicing the same steps they would take in a real-life situation, the participants aimed to identify what would work effectively and what areas need improvement, maintaining the level of precision required for this type of intervention.
"The opportunity to train in a realistic scenario, alongside our GAC partners and JDF counterparts, has been invaluable for the personnel who may be called upon to execute this type of military deployment in a real-world emergency situation," explained LCol Ryan Gregg, the DART Commanding Officer. "The practical knowledge and skills gained through this training will better prepare them to respond effectively when faced with an actual disaster."
The annual exercise is part of Canada's commitment to maintaining a short-notice response capability to Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) events. When the Government of Canada decides to provide military support, the DART can deploy on very short notice to anywhere in the world and operate for up to 60 days, bridging the gap until national and international aid agencies are able to provide long-term assistance.
Exercise READY RENAISSANCE, held in Jamaica, builds on Canada's long-running relationship with the Caribbean nation and provides a realistic training venue in a region that has experienced natural disasters. The exercise integrates efforts with local, non-governmental, and international capabilities to bring assistance to the people of Jamaica.
The annual Exercise READY RENAISSANCE represents a valuable opportunity for the CAF and the JDF to enhance their interoperability and disaster response capabilities. By working together in a simulated scenario, the two militaries can identify areas for improvement and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to real-world emergencies. This collaborative approach is crucial, as natural disasters know no borders. The lessons learned during the exercise will be instrumental in refining contingency plans and improving the precision and effectiveness of future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
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(Left to right) Major Luc Vallerand, Air 3 Operations; Major Simon Johnson, Operations Officer; Master Warrant Officer Nathalie Lavallière, material management technician; Master Warrant Officer Jeremi Lepage, Engineer; Sergeant Michael Griffey, Military Police; and Major Bailey, Commanding Officer of the Jamaica Disaster Assistance Response Team.
The members of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team and the Jamaican Disaster Assistance Response Team discuss options to conduct emergency relief operations during Exercise Ready Renaissance on April 30, 2024, in Port Antonio, Jamaica. This realistic training ensures that the CAF is able to deliver assistance in the most challenging circumstances.
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(Left to right) Lieutenant-Colonel Ryan Gregg, Commanding Officer CAF Disaster Assistance Response Team; Major Simon Johnson, Operations Officer; Captain Paul Henry, Jamaica Defence Forces Liaison Officer; Captain Omroy Davis, Jamaica Defence Forces Engineer Officer and Sergeant Michael Griffey, Military Police discuss security consideration during Exercise Ready Renaissance on May 1st, 2024, in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
The Disaster Assistance Response Team is equipped to conduct emergency relief operations to bridge the gap until national and international aid agencies are in a position to provide long-term assistance.
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Captain Emilie Côté, Medical planner of the Disaster Assistance Response Team discussed medical needs an consideration with medical staff during a recce at the Port Antonio Hospital, during Exercise Ready Renaissance, on May 1st, 2024, in Port Antonio, Jamaica. In time of crisis, the Government of Canada deploys the DART to regions affected from natural and man-made disasters, providing support such as water purification, medical treatment, debris clearing, and tactical aviation support. Exercise Ready Renaissance 24 provides training with regional partners and is an opportunity to strengthens relationships and makes for a more effective response when we have to work together.
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