Public Service Announcements
CFB Esquimalt to utilize Mass Notification System for B.C. ShakeOut
October 16, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence /Royal Canadian Navy
The local Defence Team will participate in the upcoming Great B.C. ShakeOut by utilizing the Mass Notification System (MNS) on October 17, 2024, for two minutes beginning at 10:15 a.m.
A short voice message will be transmitted across an extensive loudspeaker system extending from Esquimalt to Colwood. To avoid confusion with an actual emergency, the siren feature will not be used.
Due to a variety of environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and wind direction the exercise announcement may be heard in neighbouring municipalities.
Update to the Notice Below: the prescribed burn will take place on September 12 and 13 assuming weather conditions and fire indices are acceptable. Prescribed burns will not begin until late afternoon on the 12th or midday on the 13th.
DND Rocky Point Prescribed Fire 2024
The Department of National Defence (DND) Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt Prescribed Fire Program has been conducting prescribed burns since 2017. Prescribed burning is the planned and controlled application of fire to a specific land area and is one of the most ecologically appropriate and efficient means for achieving public safety and resource management objectives. Prescribed burns are effective in achieving several land management objectives for DND including mitigating wildfire risks, maintaining open natural landscapes for military training, and protecting and restoring rare Garry Oak ecosystems which support a large number of species at risk.
Similar to past years, up to 50 hectares of land in Metchosin at Rocky Point may be burned over approximately one to five days between mid September and early October 2024. Prescribed burns are conducted by the British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS) when weather and other atmospheric conditions are most favourable and when fuel moisture codes and fire indices support prescribed burning. The prescribed burns are expected to generate some smoke.
An additional notification will be sent 24-72 hours before the day of any prescribed burn.
Base Safety and Environment, Royal Canadian Navy
National Defence, Government of Canada
Public Service Announcement
Monthly Test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System
November 6, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
The monthly test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System will take place on November 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. for approximately one minute.
Residents may hear sirens and verbal messages from speakers mounted on tall poles in Dockyard, Naden and Work Point in Esquimalt. Due to a variety of environmental factors including temperature, humidity and wind direction it may be possible that the sirens will be heard in neighbouring municipalities.
Because CFB Esquimalt covers a large area, this system will be an invaluable tool during an emergency for communicating important information to base employees, contractors and those visiting our facilities.
During the monthly tests, two tones plus a message will be used - the ‘test tone’ (alternating tone), a message in English and French and the ‘all clear’ tone (similar to Westminster chime). Audio files are available on the Maritime Forces Pacific website.
Routine one-minute tests will take place on a monthly basis at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
Associated Links
https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/our-organization/structure/marpac/lodger-units.html click on MNS tab
www.facebook.com/EsquimaltBase
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Contacts
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Phone: 250-363-4006
Email: cfbesquimalt@outlook.com
After Hours: 250-888-6775
Public Service Announcement Bentinck Island Range
19 July 2024– Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence/ Royal Canadian Navy
The land-based demolition range at Bentinck Island will be in use 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Tuesday 23 July 2024 to Friday 26 July 2024 and Monday 29th July 2024.
Bentinck Island is located near Rocky Point off the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The site is used as an above-water terrestrial demolition range by the Canadian Armed Forces. Training events are critical to ensure military members gain core skills and maintain operational readiness. Local residents will likely be unaware of the activities except on days when atmospheric conditions affect how far sound may travel.
Training events at Bentinck Island are guided by strict mitigation measures and procedures to limit acoustic impacts to marine mammals. Operations at Bentinck Island utilize an expert third party Marine Mammal Observer to advise military staff when the range is clear of whales prior to demolitions. Events are delayed if whales are observed in or transiting towards the range, and activities do not re-commence until the Marine Mammal Observer provides the all-clear.
The public is reminded that no unauthorized person may enter this area and trespassing is prohibited. -30-
Contacts
Maritime Forces Pacific Public Affairs
Department of National Defence
Phone: 250-363-5789
Email: esqpacificnavypublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca
Fuel Spill Response Exercise
July 9, 2024 – Esquimalt Harbour, B.C. – Department of National Defence/ Royal Canadian Navy
The Department of National Defence (DND) will be conducting a simulated fuel spill exercise on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Colwood Fueling Facility (CFF) and Esquimalt Harbour. This full-scale exercise will be led by CFB Esquimalt’s Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) and include spill response boats; protection booms; and fuel skimmers. During this time, community members may hear increased and short intermittent alarms.
Spill exercises such as this are part of the Base’s ongoing role and commitment to being a responsible and dedicated steward of the marine environment.
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Royal Canadian Navy Training
June 25, 2024– Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence/ Royal Canadian Navy
Please be advised that the Royal Canadian Navy will be conducting training across the southern island from Tuesday, June 25 and Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 8 am to 4 pm.
Bentinck Island Range
Bentinck Island is located near Rocky Point off the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The site is used as an above-water terrestrial demolition range by the Canadian Armed Forces. Training events are critical to ensure military members gain core skills and maintain operational readiness. Local residents will likely be unaware of the activities except on days when atmospheric conditions affect how far sound may travel.
Training events at Bentinck Island are guided by strict mitigation measures and procedures to limit acoustic impacts to marine mammals. Operations at Bentinck Island utilize an expert third party Marine Mammal Observer to advise military staff when the range is clear of whales prior to demolitions. Events are delayed if whales are observed in or transiting towards the range, and activities do not re-commence until the Marine Mammal Observer provides the all-clear.
The public is reminded that no unauthorized person may enter this area and trespassing is prohibited.
Administrative Destruction at Rocky Point Destruction Range
The Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) will be conducting Administrative Destruction at the Rocky Point Destruction Range. Local residents may notice an increase in noise in the surrounding areas while the range is in use.
The Rocky Point Destruction Range is located in Metchosin on the Rocky Point Peninsula between Beecher Bay and Pedder Bay.
The public is reminded that no unauthorized person may enter this area and trespassing is prohibited. In the unlikely event stray ammunition or explosive objects are encountered do not pick up or retain objects as souvenirs, and notify local police immediately to make arrangements for disposal.
Whirl Bay Underwater Demolition Range
Training will be carried out at the Whirl Bay Underwater Demolition Range.
Whirl Bay lies on the south shore of Rocky Point in the Metchosin District. Rocky Point is bounded by Pedder Bay to the northeast, Race Passage to the south, and Beecher Bay to the west.
Except for those on the water, near Rocky Point, most local residents will likely be unaware of the activities except on days when environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and wind direction affect how far the sound will travel. A bubble curtain is utilized as part of DND/CAF’s standard equipment to mitigate the impact of underwater detonation in Whirl Bay by diminishing/weakening water overpressure/shock waves.
The public is reminded that no unauthorized person may enter this area and trespassing is prohibited.
Monthly Test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System
June 26, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
The monthly test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System will take place on July 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. for approximately one minute.
Residents may hear sirens and verbal messages from speakers mounted on tall poles in Dockyard, Naden and Work Point in Esquimalt. Due to a variety of environmental factors including temperature, humidity and wind direction it may be possible that the sirens will be heard in neighbouring municipalities.
Because CFB Esquimalt covers a large area, this system will be an invaluable tool during an emergency for communicating important information to base employees, contractors and those visiting our facilities.
During the monthly tests, two tones plus a message will be used - the ‘test tone’ (alternating tone), a message in English and French and the ‘all clear’ tone (similar to Westminster chime). Audio files are available on the Maritime Forces Pacific website.
Routine one-minute tests will take place on a monthly basis at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
Associated Links
https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/our-organization/structure/marpac/lodger-units.html click on MNS tab
www.facebook.com/EsquimaltBase
Additional Signs Coming to Mary Hill Training Area
February 7, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
CFB Esquimalt is once again reminding the public that unauthorized access to the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited. Additional signs will be installed in the coming days to further deter trespassing in the area and warn of safety concerns due to the presence of unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO). UXOs are military explosives that did not explode or function as intended.
Members of the public should be aware there is no safe time to access the property and trespassing is against the law and dangerous.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay, adjacent to the William Head Institution. The Royal Canadian Navy has used the property for military training since the 1930s and UXOs that remain onsite present a serious safety risk. The property is currently used by the Canadian Armed Forces and other agencies for a variety of dry training that does not include the use of any type of ammunition. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Only trained professionals can determine if a munition item is dangerous or not; any unknown object could be UXO and should not be touched or investigated. If you see something that looks like it may be UXO:
- Don’t touch it;
- Turn around and leave the area;
Call 911 or local police.
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Safety Reminder for Mary Hill Training Area
October 11, 2022 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
CFB Esquimalt is reminding the public that unauthorized entrance into the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited out of concerns for safety.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay and adjacent to the William Head Institution. The property has been used for military training since the 1940s and old military explosives that remain onsite present a serious safety hazard. The area is currently used for a variety of purposes including small arms training and night firing familiarization. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Members of the public should be aware there is no safe time to access the area and that trespassing in the area is against the law and dangerous.
The public is also reminded that, in the event stray ammunition or explosive objects are encountered, they should not be touched or disturbed in any way. If such material is encountered, local police should be notified immediately so they can work with CFB Esquimalt to make arrangements for disposal.
Contact
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Phone: 250-363-4006
Email: cfbesquimalt@outlook.com
After Hours: 250-888-6775