Toronto (February 8, 2017) – From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2017, the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Fire Department will conduct a joint ice and cold water rescue training session with the Toronto Police Services Marine Unit near Hanlan’s Point.
As ice rescue operations are fairly rare, these practice scenarios allow the emergency rescue teams to refresh their skills in executing rescues on ice and ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest techniques.
Ice and cold water rescue is performed by emergency services when a person is trapped on the ice, has fallen through the ice, or is immersed in cold water. Throughout the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. those passing by Hanlan’s Point may witness emergency simulations involving emergency responders in the icy water wearing dry suits and headwear while utilizing specialized equipment such as Marsars boards, which act as floating stretchers, rescue rings, throw bags that contain rope and reach poles.
Please be advised that this is an exercise only. There will be no impact on airport operations.
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (https://www.portstoronto.com/airport.aspx)
Billy Bishop Airport is Canada's ninth-busiest airport and welcomed 2.7 million business and leisure travellers in 2016. The airport is also Canada’s sixth-busiest airport with passenger service into the United States. Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver to Toronto’s economy, accounting for more than $2.1 billion in economic output each year and supporting 6,500 jobs, including 1,960 directly associated with the airport operations. The airport has recently won a series of passenger-driven awards, including being named one of the top airports in North America in both the Airports Council International’s (ACI) 2015 Airport Service Quality Awards and Skytrax 2016 World Airport Awards and was ranked fourth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler.
About Ports Toronto (http://www.portstoronto.com/)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed more than 2.7 million passengers in 2016; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $9 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.
Media Contacts:
Sarah Sutton
Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations
PortsToronto
Tel: (416) 863-2065; Cell: (647) 298-0544
E-mail:
ssutton@portstoronto.com