TTC conducting emergency exercise at future York University Station

Tomorrow, Wed., Oct. 25, from approximately 6 a.m. to noon, the TTC will conduct an emergency exercise at the future York University Station in advance of the opening of the Line 1 extension on Dec. 17.

This is the first of two exercises that will allow the TTC, first responders and community partners to test emergency preparedness on the new extension, which runs north from Sheppard West (formerly Downsview) Station to the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station in York Region.

Wednesday's exercise will involve more than 600 people and include the use of stage smoke and lights to simulate an incident in the tunnel, allowing participating agencies, including Toronto Police, Fire and Paramedic Services as well as York University, to practice evacuation, transportation, communications and co-ordination. The simulation will include the evacuation and transportation of 'victims' of a mock incident in stage makeup to a mock hospital on the grounds of York University.

During this exercise, there will be road closures and diversions in the area of the station and Harry W. Arthurs Commons.

A second, smaller, event will be held on Wed., Nov. 22 at Highway 407 Station to give first responders in York Region and Vaughan the chance to practice managing a subway incident for the first time.

NB: These events are not open to the public or media.