Minister Garneau endorses innovative awareness tool for first responders dealing with flammable liquid emergencies

News Release

March 17, 2016 – Gatineau, Quebec

Minister Garneau attends the final meeting of Transport Canada’s Emergency Response Task Force. The task force worked to addressed knowledge gaps in relation to flammable liquid emergencies involving rail cars.

(L-R), the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Paul Boissonneault, President, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and Brad Herald, Vice President of Western Canadian Operations, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers appear at a press conference together. At the event, Minister Garneau endorsed a new awareness tool for first responders dealing with flammable liquid emergencies.

(L-R), the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport learns about a new awareness tool for first responders dealing with flammable liquid emergencies from Paul Boissonneault, President, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and Brad Herald, Vice President of Western Canadian Operations, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, endorsed an online awareness tool aimed at helping first responders deal with flammable liquid emergencies.

The awareness tool, which is available free of charge in English and French, helps first responders to assess hazards at the scene, to know who to contact and what resources are available, and to understand how to respond appropriately and safely. It also addresses knowledge gaps identified by the Transport Canada’s Emergency Response Task Force following requests from municipalities and first responders in the aftermath of the Lac-Mégantic tragedy.

The new tool was developed by Enform, Canada’s oil and natural gas safety association, and was funded in part by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Transport Canada, and key members of the Task Force.

Quotes

“Training is the backbone of any emergency response, and this new tool will help guide first responders in these critical situations. I thank the Emergency Response Task Force for bringing together the parties needed to make this tool a reality and for their many recommendations that continue to make transporting dangerous goods by rail safer.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau,
Minister of Transport

“When responding to a train derailment involving flammable liquids, firefighters need to be able assess hazards at the scene, who to contact, available resources and how to respond – all things the new online awareness tool provides. We were pleased to be a partner in this endeavor, which will assist first responders and as a result increase public safety of Canadians.”
Paul Boissonneault,
President, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC)

“Getting Canada’s liquid hydrocarbons to new and existing markets in the safest possible way is paramount to our industry. Through this collaboration we are providing Canada’s first responders with the necessary tools to get their jobs done.”
Brad Herald,
Vice President of Western Canadian Operations, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

Quick Fact

  • The Task Force has worked diligently to examine 650 flammable liquids in Canada and has provided over 33 safety recommendations to date, with more expected this May.

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Contacts

Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada
613- 993-0055

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

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