Throughout the year, Trans Mountain conducts more than 20 emergency exercises at locations along the pipeline corridor. Exercises allow responders to practice deployment procedures under a variety of environmental conditions and are evaluated by regulatory agencies. We work to coordinate training and exercise plans with key stakeholders, including first responders, in the communities where we operate, in varying seasons, locations and scenarios. This year, Trans Mountain has already hosted several emergency exercises, including a worst-case table-top training in Ferndale, Washington and a winter spill deployment exercise in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Puget Sound worst-case tabletop exercise

The table-top exercise in our Puget Sound district allowed participants to practice our Emergency Response Plans for a worst-case simulated scenario impacting a local watercourse in Skagit County in Washington state. Table-top exercises are discussion-based events where members from our team and external agencies meet in an informal setting to discuss roles and responses to specific emergency scenarios. The two-day exercise focused on table-top training with a fully staffed Incident Command Post (ICP) consisting of several agencies, including local first responders, the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Department of Ecology and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. In total, more than 120 participants attended the exercise.

Kamloops District winter spill deployment exercise

Earlier in the year, our Emergency Response team conducted an on-ice emergency exercise on Jacko Lake near Kamloops, British Columbia. In the winter, bodies of water can be covered in ice for several months. It is important that emergency response personnel are trained in on-ice conditions, as the pipeline crosses several rivers and streams. Learn more about the exercise in the video below.

Trans Mountain must have an Emergency Management Program that anticipates, prevents, manages and mitigates emergencies. Trans Mountain requires all employees and contractors to receive the training necessary to protect themselves, the public and the environment in the rare event of an emergency. We work to coordinate training and exercise plans with key stakeholders, including first responders, in the communities where we operate.

To request participation in an upcoming exercise or to have your community considered as an exercise location, email [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.