Compliance verification activity type: Emergency Response Exercise
Team:
Regulated company: 2193914 Canada Limited
Operating company: Enbridge Gas Distribution
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Rationale and scope:
To evaluate emergency response capabilities. This is a discussion based multi-agency table-top exercise which will be conducted in three modules. The modules will focus on: the 911 call; mobilization, and Incident Command.
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Life-cycle Phases
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Observation 1 - Exercise Planning and Conduct
Date & time of visit: 2016-10-04 09:00
Discipline: Emergency Management
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
A Situation Manual was provided to all participants. A safety assessment of the facility was provided. An overview of the exercise structure was discussed which entailed the rules of play, objectives and scenario, and methods for evaluation.This was a facilitated discussion-based exercise conducted in 3 modules. Each participant had the oppurtunity to discuss their role and actions their organization would take during a response. Module 1 focused on the initial 911 call, Module 2 focused on the mobilization of the response and Module 3 focused on establishing Unified Command.Each group was provided an assigned scribe to assist in documenting and presenting their discussion.
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
Observation 2 - Notification and Reporting
Date & time of visit: 2016-10-04 10:00
It was determined that the incident was an Enbridge Gas Distribution (EGD) level III emergency. EGD discussed who in their organization would make the notification calls, and who they would notify according to their Emergency Procedures Manual (EPM). The participants discussed how they would be notified in accordance with their respective emergency response procedures.
Observation 3 - Safety
Safety mitigation measures were discussed. The scenario started of with a release of sweet natural gas that was not ignited. As the exercise evolved, the scenario changed to an ignited gas release. Hazards were discussed as was appropriate and safe approaches to the scene in both scenarios. Air monitoring was discussed as well as appropriate personal protective equipment to be used.
Observation 4 - Response Management
Date & time of visit: 2016-10-03 11:00
Each participant had the opportunity to discuss how they would respond according to their EPMs. Each participant also emphasized what their needs were and what resources and support capabilities they could provide during the response. As the scenario progressed all participants discussed how their response structure would expand as the incident progressed.Maps were available during the exercise to refer to.
Observation 5 - Communications
Date & time of visit: 2016-10-04 10:30
EGDs Public Information Officer discussed the steps they would take to issue media releases to keep the public up to date and informed. City of Vaughan representatives also discussed how they would keep the public informed and measures to take. It was also discussed who the liaison officer would be for EGD, and who that role would coordinate with.
Observation 6 - Response Tactics
Tactical response was discussed by all participants. Potential issues was raised, and alternate tactics was discussed. For example, lack of natural gas would mean potential heating issues for schools and senior care facilities in the area. Given the vulnerable population impacted by the release, coordination of evacuations could be challenging.First responders discussed how they would approach the scene and establish a site layout. Road blocks was discussed and identified as a potential challenge for arriving resources and alternate route plans was discussed.The participants discussed how to identify and notify potential residents for evacuation or sheltering in place.
Observation 7 - Post Exercise
Date & time of visit: 2016-10-04 12:30
A re-cap was conducted at the end of each module. A debrief was conducted at the conclusion of the exercise. All participants were able to provide feedback. Participants all agreed this was a valuable exercise by bringing all parties together and understanding what implications the incident would have in actuality.Overall, the exercise was successful in achieving the exercise objectives.
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program
