10 August 2005
CP Promises Wabuman Would Not Happen Here
Cochrane - CN Rail has taken considerable heat over what many in the community of
Wabuman feel is a slow, and inadequate, response to last week's derailment and oil spill in the small northern Alberta town.
Canadian Pacific Railways (CPR) officials say that if a similar situation were ever to happen in Cochrane, or somewhere else
along the fragile Bow River, they are prepared to swing immediately into action with immediate safety and response plans in
place. "We have extensive plans in place across the region including the Cochrane area for all commodities that we
haul," said Ed Greenberg, spokesperson for CPR.
The rail company runs approximately 25 trains through the town in a 24-hour period, one or two of those being
hazardous goods. While these commodities must be transported, CPR insists that safety of residents and their crew members are
the top priority. "We are sure to work with local residents and the local emergency team constantly in simulation exercises
to prevent these accidents," Greenberg said.
Recent proof of this is when CPR officials visited the town in December to host a seminar with residents, RCMP and Fire/EMS on
the proper procedures in the event of a train derailment. While there are strict guidelines for officials to deal with the
situation when it happens, prevention is also key. "Prevention and maintenance of our trains are major components to
ensure safe transport of goods," Greenberg said.
In the recent oil spill disaster on Lake Wabamun, it is suspected that CN did not report the extent of the spill which worsened
the situation.
CPR has measures in place that would actually speed up the process of handling the situation. "If an incident was to
occur, our response plan kicks in immediately. First we make sure everyone is safe, then our contract network response system
allows us to assess the environmental impact and begin cleanup as soon as possible," Greenberg said.
CPR was the first company in North America to implement a contract network response system of this calibre. The system ensures
that environmental contractors are on call to immediately contain any spill that may occur and clean up contractors are also
on call.
While CPR has worked to have all the bases covered in the event of a hazardous spill, they take great pride in a safety record
that has seen no major incidents of any kind in this area in recent memory. "Each year millions of cars are moved safely,
but of course we are always looking for ways to improve," Greenberg said.
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