Conference of American Armies - Cycle XXXIV

TOPIC: CEA and Coronavirus. (as of 8 April 2020)

Country - Operation LASER General The (CAF) and the Canadian Army (CA) are working in concert with the Government of Canada and provincial authorities and are prepared to respond to any Requests for Assistance (RFA). Operation LASER is the CAF’s response to a worldwide situation.

During Operation LASER, the CAF implemented measures on their personnel and Department of National Defence (DND) employees to reduce the impacts of a pandemic situation. These measures are implemented in order to maintain operational capabilities and readiness to support Government of Canada (GoC) objectives and requests for assistance. (see details at: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national- defence/services/operations/military-operations/current-operations/laser.html)

As of 13 March 2020, Operation LASER is in phase 3 : The CAF response will be dependent on the disease’s impact in and around the location of CAF elements and requests for assistance to civil authorities. The CAF continue to monitor and work with GoC and provincial officials to assess what support could be provided (a list of possible task is included further below). The CA is force generating Task Forces (within the various regions of the country) to the ready to deploy under the command of the Canadian Joint Operations Command and ready to support Government efforts.

Joint Task Force-LASER

1st Canadian Division Headquarters is assigned as Joint Task Force-LASER (JTF-LR). They are a high-readiness, rapid-response unit based out of Kingston, .

JTF-LR will be responsible for the coordination and command of all domestic operations related to Operation LASER to which the CA will assign its troops. Their role is to:  monitor and implement force health protection measures that preserve CAF operational capabilities and;  respond to and act on requests for assistance from other government (Federal and Provincial) departments and agencies.

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It is noted that spring is coming in Canada which generally brings flood in certain areas of the country. The CAF and the CA continue to monitor the situation in the event that we must activate Op LENTUS which is the CAF response to natural disasters in Canada. Provincial and territorial authorities are the first to respond when a major natural disaster occurs in Canada. If they become overwhelmed, they may ask the CAF for help.

1. Measures and actions to protect the Army's own personnel.

Measures and actions Protocol applied a. Location of an Alternative Command Canadian Army (CA) Headquarters has instituted Post (preserve the health of the highest work at home practices where necessary. Key authorities of the Army). headquarters staff are split into two teams working from different locations to limit the impact of any potential exposure by an individual. b. Reduction in staff attendance at Non-essential staff (military and civilian) working workplaces. from home. c. Barracks within military bases / units All visits by non-military or non-essential personnel to military bases and units have been cancelled or restricted. d. Travel suspension and training courses. Non-essential travel suspended and those travelling must self-isolate for 14 days on return. Domestic and most international training has been suspended effective 24 March 2020. e. Facilitate and promote video When possible, meetings are carried out through conferences and work on line from the video conferences, phone calls and WhatsApp even houses. at the lowest levels. f. Implementation of a rotation system for Not yet implemented. professional health personnel. g. Increased sanitary controls and Implemented and promoted. Use of social media to preventive measures for personnel. increase awareness. Prior to any deployment in support of local authorities, each soldier will complete the GoC COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire for their province of residence and inform their chain of command of any resulting restrictions that may prevent them from deploying. h. Implementation of an exclusive Not yet implemented. transportation system for Army personnel. i. Others

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2. Civil protection measures and actions (community support and humanitarian assistance).

Measures and actions Protocol applied a. Deployment of sanitary facilities. Not yet implemented. b. Control of compliance with the norms Not yet implemented. established by the National Executive Power. c. Food delivery, using the means and Not yet implemented. distribution facilities of the Force. d. Sanitary Control of the population. Not yet fully implemented.

The 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (2 CRPG) mobilized its 14 Canadian Ranger patrols in Nunavik (Northern parts of the country) on 3 April, 2020, in response to a request from the province of Quebec. 2 CRPG was mandated to assist the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS), which reports to the Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux (MSSS) of the Quebec Government. As requested by the NRBHSS officials in the communities, the Rangers will triage points to facilitate the work of healthcare personnel. The well-being and safety of the Rangers and their families are a primary concern to the chain of command, therefore Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be distributed to the Rangers involved. Prior to commencing any task that may put their health at risk, Rangers will be adequately trained in the proper use of their PPE. The are members of the Canadian Army Reserve Force who provide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with a military presence in remote, isolated and coastal areas of Quebec’s Northern and North-Shore regions. As of March 31, there are 305 active Canadian Rangers in Nunavik. In support of Operation LASER.

e. Manufacture of supplies. Not yet implemented. f. Others Possible tasks for the Canadian Army in support National and Provincial Governments when requested (not a complete list):

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(1) Providing planners and liaison officers to provincial/territorial levels of government and federal regional offices to assist with planning of a CAF contribution to regional containment efforts; (2) Providing infrastructure for use by interdepartmental / intergovernmental teams (i.e., tents, mobile kitchens, etc.); (3) Conducting wellness checks for designated vulnerable populations, when directed and advisable to do so; (4) Assisting in water purification; (5) Assisting in establishing and operating alternate care sites; (6) Providing limited assistance with civilian patient management including triage, secondary assessment and treatment of COVID-19 patients, within the scope of CAF capabilities and authority to provide medical care to civilians; (7) Providing limited assistance with civilian patient management including triage and secondary assessment of vulnerable populations (i.e., rural/remote, indigenous, prison inmates), within the scope of CAF capabilities and authority to provide medical care to civilians; (8) Support national or provincial health authority with health vaccination programs when COVID-19 vaccination is available; (9) Supporting law enforcement officials in the enforcement of COVID-19 related orders under federal or provincial legislation; (10) Supporting law enforcement officials in the enforcement of evacuation orders; (11) Providing logistical and general support, as well as transportation; (12) Infrastructure assistance to law enforcement officials; (13) Be prepared to conduct the natural disaster emergency response activities; (14) Providing personnel to perform tasks to mitigate the effects of floods and fires, including the protection of critical

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infrastructure, access roads, and properties as designated by local authorities.

Photographic record. (none at this time)

Description Image Relocatable hospital facility.

Air patrol with Army aviation means.

Manufacture of supplies.

Food distribution.

Sanitary control on routes and entrances.

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Examples of the promotion of health and sanitary measures (issued via social media accessible by the military, families, and civilian population).

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