Transport Canada Sets Derailment Demonstration for Saturday
The exercise is intended to improve Canada's response capabilities for a train derailment involving flammable liquids -- the scenario that occurred in July 2013 in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
An event named Exercise Vulcan, which will include a simulated train derailment involving the transportation of crude oil, a simulated tank car fire, and a display of specialized equipment and resources for dealing with the crisis, is set for March 12 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Exercise Vulcan is hosted by Transport Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science; federal experts, first responders, rail operators, and specialized industry responders are participating.
The exercise is intended to improve Canada's response capabilities for a train derailment involving flammable liquids -- the scenario that occurred in July 2013 in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, when a parked crude oil train rolled downhill, traveled about 7 miles, and derailed in the center of the town at 65 mph. A total of 63 tank cars derailed and nearly all of them being breached during the derailment, spilling almost 6 million liters of crude oil that ignited.
The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time and is taking place at the Justice Institute of British Columbia's Maple Ridge Campus. Located about 35 miles east of Vancouver, the campus is designed for the hands-on firefighting practice and training delivered by the institute's Fire & Safety Division.