Canadian Pacific (CP) has launched a new webpage, which showcases CP's dangerous goods response capabilities, training available to first responders and other online resources.
“CP is proud of the relationships we have with first responders and communities, and we take our role in ensuring fire departments have the training they require extremely seriously,” said Glen Wilson, CP assistant vice president environmental risk. “While incidents involving a release of a dangerous goods product are extremely rare, we are committed to preparedness and response in those instances.”
CP's emergency response capabilities include firefighting trailers, transfer trailers, boom containers, as well as emergency response posts and hazardous materials officers located across its network. With a 24/7 emergency response contractor network, CP can provide additional resources and personnel for a rail incident. This also allows the company to provide mutual aid to other industrial partners when needed.
“For the last 10 years, CP has been the safest railway in North America according to FRA train accident frequency,” added Wilson. “While rail is the safest way to move dangerous goods over land, CP believes it's essential that we are prepared to respond effectively to dangerous goods incidents. In the past five years, CP has trained over 20,000 emergency responders on HazMat response through our emergency training exercises.”
Provided they meet federal standards, CP is allowed to move hazardous materials in the United States and continually strives to make the transportation of dangerous goods as safe as possible. The company offers training on railway incident emergency response for local emergency responders through hands-on and online training.
“We have enjoyed a close working relationship with CP,” noted President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) Paul Boissonneault while speaking at the group's annual conference. “CP's commitment to training and preparedness is appreciated by the fire fighters and communities across Canada and we thank them for their support.”