Emergency Response Task Force

The December 11, 2014 Decision Record was considered approved after the following correction is made to action item 12:

ACTION ITEM:

• The Secretariat will amend action item 12, in both the English and French versions to state:
  • “CANUTEC will provide the minutes of the First Responders teleconference to the Chair and the members of the ER Task Force if they would like a copy.”

(a) Status of Submission to NFPA Committee and (b) Status Update on Amendment Submission (Project Initiating Form) to the NFPA Committee

The Chair provided the status on the Task Force’s submission to the NFPA Committee. He also presented a first draft of the New Project Initiating Form for the Task Force’s consideration.

DECISION: The ER Task Force agreed for the Chair to complete the New Project Amendment Form to submit to the NFPA .

ACTION ITEM: The Secretariat will forward the submission to the NFPA on behalf of the ER Task Force before the January 31, 2015 deadline.

(b) Status Update on Amendment Submission (Project Initiating Form) to the NFPA Committee

Some organizations expressed their support during the meeting:

• The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ( CAPP ) and the Canadian Fuels Association indicated that the initial response is positive. However, the CAPP representative pointed out that a new standard would mean retraining and many people in the industry already have the credentials and experience. The Chair acknowledged the challenge with grandfathering.
• The Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners as well as the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs supported the submission in principle.

DECISION: In addition to the New Project Initiating Form sent by the Secretariat, participants agreed to consider using the case that has been developed for the New Project Initiating Form and send it on behalf of their respective organizations to the NFPA Committee.

(c) Status Update on an NFPA Summit/Workshop

The Chair provided a status update on the proposed NFPA Summit/Workshop. The one day Workshop would be tentatively scheduled for March 18, 2015 in Ottawa (Transport Canada – 330 Sparks Street, Place de Ville Tower C). NFPA employees would attend in order to provide information and answer questions. The Workshop would take place at Transport Canada, but would be hosted by the NFPA.

ACTION ITEM: The NFPA will send an invitation via the ER Task Force Secretariat. This invitation will come by e-mail and will also be posted on the ER Task Force’s website (https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/emergency-response-task-force-15).

The Vice-chair presented a summary of the work done and the findings of the Subgroup 1 for decision. For each task, he identified the issue, gap(s), steps taken, and finding(s) or subgroup recommendation.

Subgroup’s Findings on ERAP Assessment Process:

• Subgroup corroborated and validated the TDG ERAP review process for incident hazard scenarios involving a railway flammable liquids spill/fire.
• No recommendation deemed necessary.

ERAP Expansion to Other Class 3 Flammable Liquids

• Assistance from Transport Canada is needed to collect the necessary data and to facilitate analysis and distribution of the data to Task Force.
• The ER Task Force Secretariat has Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) lead by the Vice-Chair, to collect data and perform analysis on Class 3 flammable liquids not listed in Protective Direction ( PD ) 33. Work is currently underway and progressing well. SMEs’ findings will be provided to Subgroup 3 for members to assess and determine if ERAP should be required for these other flammable liquids.

Subgroup’s Recommendation on Carrier’s Roles and Responsibility in Incident and Duty to Notify

• Subgroup recommends that the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Task Force address Part 8.1 of the TDG Regulations, specifically immediate reporting notification to local fire services.

ACTION ITEM: The F/P/T Task Force Chair will forward the issue to the F/P/T Task Force for consideration. It will be added to its spring 2015 meeting agenda.

Subgroup’s Findings on Canadian TDG Flammable Liquids Training Requirement

• Subgroup recognizes the need to establish a regional TDG flammable liquids training curricula in Canada.
• Subgroup concludes further work is needed to identify potential training facilities capable of providing this training at locations in Canada. It was also recognized that a training facility is needed in Eastern Canada, as well as ensuring the training is also delivered in French.
• Subgroup recommends that Subgroup 5 on First Responder Training consider both of these aspects.

Subgroup’s Recommendation on Flammable Liquid Technical Advisor (FLTA)

• The purpose of this recommendation is to define the expectations of an FLTA, as required by the ERAP holder, to provide advice and assistance during a rail incident involving flammable liquids.
• A preliminary job description for an FLTA was developed by the Subgroup to be forwarded to Transport Canada for consideration and further refinement, if required.

ACTION ITEM: The ER Task Force’s expectation from Transport Canada regarding the FLTA will be clearly outlined in the second Quarterly Report.

Activation Delivery Model: Tiered Response

The subgroup will report on finding(s) at the February 19, 2015 monthly meeting.

The final Subgroup 2 report was sent to subgroup members for comment. It will be included in the second Quarterly Report.

The Chair presented the recommendations coming out of Subgroup 2. These recommendations are being proposed for Transport Canada’s consideration in order to address the issues and gaps identified by the ER Task Force.

Recommendation #5:
Support the concept of a standardized Incident Command System (ICS), based on the ICS Canada Program and that the Incident Commander in charge of a railway or other dangerous goods incident will be a representative of the local authority having jurisdiction working within a unified command structure.

Recommendation #6:
Require that ERAP documents include identification of ICS and a unified command structure as part of the planning requirements for response to incidents.

Recommendation #7:
Require ERAP Technical Advisors to complete, at a minimum, the following ICS Canada incident command courses, appropriate to their roles in an incident:

• I-100 Introduction to ICS
• I-200 Basic ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• I-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

Recommendation #8:
Require railway companies to provide copies of their Emergency Response Plans (ERP) to the TDG Directorate, with details on how the ICS System is incorporated within those plans for dangerous goods incidents and, that the information in the railway ERP is immediately available to CANUTEC during an emergency incident.

Recommendation #9:
Require railway companies to have company managers, supervisory staff and contractor supervisors, who attend dangerous goods incidents, complete at a minimum, the following ICS Canada incident command courses, appropriate to their roles in an incident:

• I-100 Introduction to ICS
• I-200 Basic ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• I-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

Recommendation #10:
Include in the Transport Canada Training Program for TDG Inspectors and Remedial Measures Specialists (RMSs) the following ICS Canada courses, appropriate to their role in an incident:

• I-100 Introduction to ICS
• I-200 Basic ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• I-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

The CANUTEC representative indicated that CANUTEC could add this training to their plan so CANUTEC Advisors could get training on ICS.

Recommendation #11:
Review and define the roles and responsibilities of TDG Inspectors and RMSs to include consultation and advice with the Incident Commander to help in developing an Incident Action Plan. Transport Canada should make those roles and responsibilities well known to both the public sector and private sector as part of their Awareness and Outreach Program.

Recommendation #12:
Facilitate the development of a template for a Community Dangerous Goods Emergency Response Plan that can be incorporated in Community Emergency Plans.

Recommendation #13:
Work in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management (SOREM), Railway Association of Canada (RAC), Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), Canadian Fuels Association (CFA), Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC) and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) as well as other stakeholders in a comprehensive outreach and education program that provides information and training/reference materials for dangerous goods ICS “best practices”, as well as recommending the use of ICS Canada training courses for First Responders.

Recommendation #14:
Complete the development of and produce the following concept documents:

• Community Emergency Planning Guide for Dangerous Goods
• The Emergency Planning and Response Cycle Chart
• ICS Structure Using Unified Command for Railway Dangerous Goods Incidents Chart
• Railway Dangerous Goods Incidents – Roles and Responsibilities Table and Chart
• Flammable Liquid (TDG) Emergency Response Chart (A Disciplined Approach)
• The Disciplined Approach work sheets for developing an Incident Action Plan (IAP) with ICS
• Provide a dangerous goods lexicon with standard names and terminology

It is further recommended that these documents be developed and completed to be distributed in conjunction with the 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook to all first response agencies and community/First Nations emergency planners in Canada.

Recommendation #15:
Work with the Centre for Security and Science (CSS), First Responders, emergency planners, RAC member companies, ERAP holders, CANUTEC and Transport Canada RMS representatives to develop response exercises to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the ERAP program and identify opportunities for improvement.

Recommendation #16:
Encourage and support training, exercises, networking and interaction between railway personnel, First Responders, emergency planners and Transport Canada to build experience, trust and communications in application of the ICS and unified command at dangerous goods incidents.

The Chair encouraged Task Force members to read the full Subgroup 2 Report for further details on the issues, gaps and steps that were taken to come to the recommendations being submitted.

DECISION: The Subgroup’s recommendations were approved and will go into the ER Task Force’s second Quarterly Report for Transport Canada’s consideration.

• The Vice-chair presented the “Disciplined Approach Chart.  This chart was modified by SMEs courtesy of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada from an original industry application for all dangerous goods. 
• The purpose of this chart is to provide a guide for the development of Incident Action Plans for Class 3 Flammable Liquids tank car incident.  It was adapted specifically to help and be used by firefighters, first responders and emergency planners. 
• Subgroup 1 members recommend for TC to use this suggested chart as an awareness and promotion tool.

DECISION: Members agree with the recommendation.

Carieanne Picard provided participants with an update on CANUTEC activities of interest to the ER Task Force:

Update on CSX Real-time Data
Discussions with CSX are still ongoing.

CANUTEC’s Outreach and Awareness Plan
An outreach and awareness strategy is being developed based on the ER Task Force’s recommendation.

Status Update on the implementation of the ER Task Force’s “Recommendation #1 - 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook”.
CANUTEC will be meeting with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) at the end of January. It has been suggested that products requiring an ERAP be highlighted in the orange pages and that a description be included in the white pages of the ERG.
 

Roberto Bruni presented an update on the recent TDG regulatory amendments.

He explained that under this new amendment, shippers of UN1987 and UN3494 will have 150 days from December 31, 2014 (i.e. date amendments were published) to develop and obtain approval of their ERAPs by Transport Canada.

Dave Galea presented on the current status of ICS Canada product, the status of the ICS/IMS Canada Project and the results of the December 2014 ICS/IMS Committee meeting.

ACTION ITEM: Dave Galea will indicate the Transport Canada’s representing member on the ICS/IMS Committee.

Dave Galea
Executive Director, Public SafetyAlberta Emergency
Management Agency

Dave Galea presented Alberta’s approach to ICS and its Incident Management Team concept. During the presentation, he outlined the Emergency Management Framework in Canada, discussed resource sharing in Alberta, ICS governance structure in Canada and Alberta, and Incident Management Teams.

Dave Galea Executive Director, Public Safety Alberta Emergency Management Agency

Dave Galea
Executive Director, Public SafetyAlberta Emergency
Management Agency

The Chair presented the mandate, timeframe and tasks for Subgroups 3, 4 and 5 for the Task Force’s consideration and discussion.

Subgroup 3: Expansion of ERAP
Subgroup 3 will assess options for the potential expansion of the ERAP to include Class 3 flammable liquids transported by rail. The work will begin in February 2015.

ACTION ITEM: The Secretariat will send a call for members for Subgroup 3 in late January 2015.

ER Task Force Secretariat

Subgroup 4: ERAP Program Review
Subgroup 4 will identify data gaps and needs for monitoring and improving the delivery of the ERAP program. They will propose recommendations on opportunities for enhancing and strengthening the ERAP regime. The work will begin in March 2015.

ACTION ITEM: The Secretariat will send a call for members in February 2015.

ER Task Force Secretariat

Subgroup 5: First Responder Training
Subgroup 5 will assess training needs of First Responders and explore the need to have training programs tailored to Canadians and located in Canada. The call for membership was sent at the end of December 2014. Work will begin in February 2015.

New Methodology for Subgroup Meetings and Proposed Schedule
The Chair presented the new methodology for subgroup meetings.

DECISIONS:

• Members approve the proposed methodology for subgroup meetings.
• Members approve the mandate, timeframe and tasks for Subgroups 3, 4 and 5.

A proposed calendar for subgroup meetings, including the NFPA summit, was presented to participants.

ACTION ITEM: Ideas and comments on the proposed calendar would be welcomed. ER Task Force members should submit any comments to the ER Task Force Secretariat by e-mail (TC.ERTFSecretariat-SecretariatGTIU.TC@tc.gc.ca).

The Secretariat reminded members to submit their suggestions for agenda items to Mylaine DesRosiers (mylaine.desrosiers@tc.gc.ca) and the Secretariat (TC.ERTFSecretariat-SecretariatGTIU.TC@tc.gc.ca).