Decision Record
Meeting of Thursday, November 19, 2015
| Agenda Item | Decisions / Action Items | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
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1. Attendance / Opening Remarks |
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed the participants. |
Chris Powers
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2. Approval of the Agenda |
The Agenda was approved with the following change:
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All |
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3. Approval of the June 11, 2015 Meeting Decision Record |
Members reviewed and approved the June 11, 2015 Meeting Decision Record with the following:
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All |
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4. Implementing Recommendations from Second Quarterly |
Nicole Girard, TC-TDG’s Director General (DG) provided feedback and a status update on implementing recommendations from the 2nd Quarterly Report. The DG indicated that the ERTF mandate was extended to May 1, 2016. She also indicated that the TDG Directorate has been moving forward on program improvement. Over the summer they continued to look at the ERTF’s 33 recommendations and will provide a progress report at the January 2016 ERTF monthly meeting. Marc Garneau, TC’s new Minister, and Jean-François Tremblay, new deputy minister, have both been briefed on TDG programs and initiatives.. Both the minister and DM are interested in the deliberations of the ERTF including the issue of real-time data. Future outlook: Once the ERTF has completed its mandate, a GPAC sub-committee will be established to continue the collaborative work with all stakeholders on safety issues and specifically emergency response issues associated with the transportation of dangerous goods. In addition, TC is examining the possibility of holding an emergency response summit. TC is also considering research on crude oil and looking to collaborate with the U.S. to plan a summit on Crude Oil in order to examine emerging trends, risks and the next generation of issues. |
Nicole Girard
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5. 2nd and 3rd Quarterly Reports: Update |
Recommendations from Subgroup 3, 4 and 5 that were accepted by ERTF members at the June 2015 monthly meeting were included in the Third Quarterly Report and a draft of the report was circulated to members in July for comment. All comments have been duly recorded and consolidated in a consultation record which members can access via the Secure File Transfer Application (SFTA). The report was then presented to the Director General – TDG and the Senior Management Committee (SMC). Both the 2nd and 3rd Quarterly reports are available on the SFTA, however not yet available on the ERTF website. Any member who doesn’t already have access to the SFTA is welcome to contact the ERTF Secretariat for access instructions should they wish to consult it there. Also, persons wishing a copy of the reports can request them by contacting the ERTF Secretariat at (TC.ERTFSecretariat-SecretariatGTIU.TC@tc.gc.ca). |
Mylaine DesRosiers
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6. Proposal to the TDG General Policy Advisory Council: Sub-Committee on Emergency Response |
During their November 18, 2015 meeting, GPAC members accepted to establish a sub-committee on Emergency Response under its umbrella as of the Spring 2016. This will provide an emergency response discussion forum on emerging issues and important emergency response matters related to the transportation of dangerous goods. The Terms of Reference for the sub-committee is being developed and will be submitted to GPAC members for decision in the following months. |
Nicole Girard
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7. Brief Update on ERTF activities since June 2015. |
The ERTF Secretariat provided an brief update on the activities that occurred during the summer period:
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Mylaine DesRosiers
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8. Extension of ERTF Mandate. |
The ERTF mandate was extended to May 1, 2016. The mandate extension calls for the following:
The issue of real-time access remains an important issue for some municipalities, and was identified by the DG and TDG staff who suggested the addition of this item to the addenda. The Chair suggested that more clarity may be needed for municipalities to understand the impact of real-time access on emergency response. Basically, real-time access is important information for CANUTEC. Municipalities need to know that they can contact CANUTEC for assistance and support should a transportation of dangerous goods incident occur in their municipalities. Members communicated that a discussion had already occurred on real-time data and as a result, submitted the recommendation for real-time data to be accessed through CANUTEC. Members agreed to have another discussion on real-time access at the December meeting and feel it is important for FCM representatives to take part in the discussion, to explain what is envisioned by municipalities in terms of real-time access and why/how municipalities think that having real-time access will assist them in being better prepared for emergency response to such incidents. Decision:
Action Item:
Action Item:
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Chris Powers
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9. Nomination of
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A call for candidates was sent out to members. The ERTF Secretariat received nomination proposals and members were asked to vote. Decision:
Action Item:
Decision:
Action Item:
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All members |
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10. Discussion on way forward: for Approval
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An addendum to the Terms of Reference was presented to members for approval. The addenda confirms that future ERTF discussions will focus on:
Some members were concerned that more work was also needed with respect to establishing a nationally recognized standard for incident command. The Chair reiterated that the subgroup’s recommendation was to encourage the ICS Canada Training program but that members needed to remember that the provinces and territories were ultimately responsible to decide on their respective incident command structure. He reminded members that collaboration among all agencies is the key to a successful emergency response. Peter Coyles suggested that this is a good example of the type of subject to bring up during the emergency response summit as an opportunity to generate the discussion among the different stakeholders, including provincial and federal agencies. The Chair also announced that he and Benoit Laroche, from the École nationale des pompiers du Québec, were invited by the NFPA to participate in a Technical Panel funded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and organized by the NFPA Foundation. The project is to Enhance Incident Commander Competencies for Management of Incidents Involving Pipeline and Rail Car Spills of Flammable Liquids. Decision: Members approved the addenda with the addition of item d) Real-Time data. |
Chris Powers
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11. Fire Service Capacity Survey |
Preliminary Results: TC sent out a fire survey across Canada to find out the location and access to foam and equipment with the objective to produce a GIS map for firefighting capacity. TC received great response for some provinces, but not all. Overall, the response rate is 2%. Thus far, the information gathered does not provide a complete and accurate map of the response capacity across Canada. TC will continue to try and gather better and more complete data from the provinces and territories and also call upon the Federal Council of Municipalities (FCM) again for assistance in this regard. Next Steps: The map is currently being updated with more locations including aboriginal lands and it will also eventually include boundaries. Members asked if support from FCM was requested to distribute the survey. ERTF Secretariat confirmed a request to that effect was sent to FCM but FCM could not provide its support at that time.
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Monica Blaney
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12. Risk Assessment on Flammable Liquids Transported by Rail for Potential Inclusion in ERAP
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SMEs produced a thorough categorization methodology, and identified 43 Class 3 products identified as priority 1 to be considered for ERAP. Based on this research, TDG conducted a risk assessment exercise over a 3 day period in July 2015. Participants were experts from all areas (industry, government, contractors). The risk assessment concluded that only 1 (Styrene) of the 43 substances was identified as being high risk and needing further analysis by TDG to make a final decision as to whether or not it should require an ERAP. |
Louis Marcotte
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13. Update on TDG Tabletop Exercise |
Louis Marcotte presented an overview of the tabletop training exercise hosted by TC in British Columbia in early November with the collaboration of industry (i.e. JIBC, Shell, CP, RAC, Irving Oil). The exercises were also made possible in partnership with CSS-DRDC who provided funding. Participants were taken through two exercises: the first involving (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) and the second on flammable liquids. The Enform online presentation was used as a pilot to inform participants before the flammable liquids tabletop exercise. During the Enform presentation, it became apparent that though first responders were aware of the Emergency Response Guide and CANUTEC, not many, if at all, knew about ERAP and TC Remedial Measures Specialists (RMS). However, they now feel reassured that emergency response expertise resources and capacity are available to them should an incident occur in their respective municipalities. They also indicated that the Enform online presentation contained plenty of information and that it was certainly a good first step awareness tool. |
Louis Marcotte
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14. Analysis and Categorization of Flammable Liquids. |
Michel Cloutier presented the final findings with respect to the substance categorization criteria and methodology developed for Class 3 Packing Group I, II and III substances, namely, Classes 3(6.1), 6.1(3), 3(8), 8(3), 3(6.1)(8) and 6.1(3)(8). There are 14 substances identified for Classes 4.3(3), 4.3(3)(8), 6.1(4.3)(3) and 8(3)(6.1) and the existing criteria and methodology developed will form the basis of further TDG analysis in this area. SMEs pointed out the importance of not losing sight of other substance priorities and strongly recommend that TDG continue monitoring those such as Aldehydes for example (Acetaldehyde is currently the only one requiring an ERAP but others in the red category should also be examined). Members praised the SMEs for their extremely diligent and comprehensive work. On behalf of the ERTF and TDG Directorate, Mylaine DesRosiers thanked both Ernie Wong and Michel Cloutier for their exceptional contribution; TC wanted solid science and an evidence-based approach behind a decision-making methodology based on risk of Class 3 substances and the SMEs delivered on all accounts. Next Steps: TDG will also use the criteria and methodology developed by the SMEs for future analysis and conduct risk assessments on the ERAPability of substances beyond those already identified. The criteria and methodology developed by the two experts has been well documented and will allow the TDG Directorate to continue the work and use it beyond Class 3 substances. |
Michel Cloutier/Ernie Wong
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15. First Responder Training on Flammable Liquids: Online Training Presentation - Update provided by ENFORM |
Finbarr Wilson presented a preview of the online training application that will be made available to first responders and emergency planners free of charge in early 2016. The application:
Maintenance: The application will be maintained and updated as new standards or information becomes available to reflect “Best Practices”. Launch: Enform will launch via CAPP and CAFC and also post the application allowing others to link free of charge to their own websites. The launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2016. Next steps:
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Finbarr Wilson
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16. First Responder Training on Flammable Liquids. |
Andy Ash expressed the need for support for hands-on training. We have facility training at JIBC, and courses with CN and CP, but we need to get better access to programs so that more firefighters can attend. We need to offer something in Eastern Canada as well as a program in French, and to achieve this, we need funding. This is a top priority. Benoit Laroche suggested that there is already lots of good existing content and that’s it’s a matter of putting it together and rolling it out as effectively (time and cost) as possible. Next Steps A sub-group will be established to move forward this initiative at the next ERTF meeting in December 2015. |
Chris Powers
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17. ERAP Program: items completed, items for discussion |
Deferred to December 2015 meeting. |
Chris Powers
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19. Priorities - Next Steps, Dates for Future Meetings |
Meeting schedule:
Members also indicated that they would like to hold future meetings at the Gatineau Crowne Plaza location if possible. Future discussions will focus on First responder training on flammable liquids and Interim guidelines, ERAP process and activation, Real-time access, fire survey as well as updates on the TDG implementation of other ERTF recommendations, future summits and NFPA/PHMSA project. |
Chris Powers
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19. Roundtable - Comments, Questions and Answers |
Members expressed their appreciation for the meeting and the mandate extension.
Participants’ concerns, questions or suggestions are included in a consultation record, which is updated on a regular basis. |
All |
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20. Closing Remarks |
Members were thanked for their continued commitment and important contribution to the Task Force. |
Chris Powers
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NEXT MEETING |
December 17 and 18, 2015
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All |