This fall, Trans Mountain conducted a variety of on-water emergency response exercises. In addition to the full-scale exercise held at our Westridge Marine Terminal on Burrard Inlet in Burnaby, BC, we conducted equipment deployment exercises on Chip Lake near Wildwood, AB  and on the North Thompson River near Kamloops, BC.

In-the-field training, such on-water exercises are part of practicing our emergency response plan and helps to ensure a quick and efficient response time in the unlikely event of an incident. 

Deploying spill response equipment during these exercises allows our response personnel to train and refresh their boom deployment and towing skills in a real-water environment, and to confirm viable spill control points along that particular waterway.  

Control points are pre-determined locations along the pipeline right-of-way, either on land or in watercourses, where responders could intercept spilled product in order to establish a spill response strategy and deploy spill response equipment. Identifying control point locations ahead of time enables Trans Mountain to respond more effectively, limiting potential impacts to sensitive areas downstream of a release point.

Regular response training and exercises are integral to being prepared to protect the environment where our pipeline operates.

Trans Mountain has developed a comprehensive Emergency Management (EM) Program based on a combination of regulatory compliance, operational need, industry best practices and lessons learned through exercises. With the Expansion Project, we’ll continue to build on the existing program by developing an enhanced EM Program.