Emergency Response Drill to Practice Response Plans & Equipment
Submitted by Kinder Morgan Canada. Kinder Morgan Canada in cooperation with Cheam First Nation, isconducting an emergency response drill today (Thursday, April 10, 2014), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cheam First Nation Beach, approximately 20 km east of Chilliwack, BC. This is a scheduled drill conducted as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to safety and emergency preparedness. No oil will be released during this planned exercise, but public may notice increased activity in the area. Invited to participate in and observe the drill are representatives from the Aboriginal communities in the area, utilities, and emergency responders.
About the Drill
The exercise will cover land‐based instruction on spill response equipment setup and deployment, followed by an on‐water deployment of emergency response equipment including 750 ft. of containment boom. Throughout the day, people in the immediate area may notice increased activity and emergency response equipment including trucks and an oil spill response trailer, a small front‐end loader, and three Kinder Morgan Canada boats. In addition to the spill response equipment, the Wildlife Response unit will be on‐site for instruction and display.
The purpose of this exercise is to practice Kinder Morgan Canada’s emergency response plans to ensure an effective and coordinated response in the unlikely event of an emergency. Kinder Morgan Canada conducts regular emergency response training each year at various locations and under different scenarios. Emergency response exercises include equipment deployment and table top exercises and are often conducted in cooperation with local emergency responders and regulatory agencies.
About the Trans Mountain Pipeline System
In operation since October 1953, the Trans Mountain Pipeline was established to create a reliable energy supply for Canada and the United States. The initial capacity was 150,000 barrels per day with 4 pump stations along the line and a marine loading dock. Since 1953, the capacity of the pipeline system has been increased a number of times by twinning parts of the line and adding associated facilities. Today the Trans Mountain pipeline carries 300,000 barrels per day and operates the Westridge Marine facility loading approximately 5 tankers per month.
Kinder Morgan Canada is committed to public safety, protection of the environment, and operation of its facilities in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. Kinder Morgan Canada ensures public safety and safe pipeline operations through employee training, regular testing, right‐of‐way aerial and foot patrols and adherence to its comprehensive integrity management program. For more information on pipeline safety, please visit: http://www.kindermorgan.com/pipelinesafety/.