Trans Mountain conducts full-scale emergency response exercise

Photo: Contributed

Over 225 participants and observers from more than 25 agencies participated in the simulated emergency response.

Trans Mountain conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise in Kamloops on Wednesday, training hundreds of participants in an effective and efficient spill response to a simulated pipeline rupture. 

The exercise was done under ice and snow conditions, and included a coordinated, collaborative response with over 225 participants and observers from more than 25 agencies.

It simulated the occurrence of a real incident, including a field deployment at Inks Lake and an off-site Incident Command Post where several agencies, stakeholders, first responders and regulators participated in an integrated response alongside Trans Mountain personnel.

The day provided an opportunity for response personnel to practice the implementation of the Kamloops District Response Plan, among meeting other objectives.

Trans Mountain Corporate vice-president of operations Michael Davies says the simulated emergency responses are held regularly to ensure employees are prepared, in the case of a real incident occurring. 

“At Trans Mountain, we test and practice our plans regularly and involve local first responders, Indigenous groups and government agencies to ensure we’re prepared in the event of an incident. While our goal is that our emergency response plans are never used, we are fully prepared to respond to any incident in a timely and effective manner.

"We conduct more than 20 emergency response exercises each year, which allows us to practice and demonstrate our industry-leading practices for incident responses."