UBC has conducted annual emergency exercises since 1992. The exercises are used to test and improve the effectiveness of UBC's emergency response plans and procedures.

These exercises bring together first responder agencies (i.e., police, fire department and ambulance), other external agencies and UBC departments.

Participants respond to a variety of simulated site emergencies, including earthquakes, hazardous material spills, fires, airplane crashes and structural collapses.

The UBC Disaster Response Plan is based on the British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS), and uses an “all hazards” approach to emergency response.

The exercises are developed, arranged and administered by Risk Management Services. This process has been coordinated by the Emergency Planning Steering Committee (EPSC) Exercise Design subcommittee since 1997. The committee includes the RCMP, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, BC Ambulance Service, Risk Management Services and other relevant UBC departments.