By Norm Park
[email protected]
The cause of the CP train derailment in Estevan this spring, has pretty well been figured out, said Estevan's EMO safety co-ordinator Helen Forwald. However, she noted, the definitive public statements regarding the cause and any follow-up action that might ensue, will be up to CP Rail to reveal.
One attempt by the Mercury to obtain a statement from the rail company had not been responded to by Monday.
The derailment, in the CP rail yards in Estevan, resulted in five loaded tanker cars being upset, but none of them released any fluids and the cars were uprighted and removed within two days. The incident did not affect any regular rail traffic through Estevan and caused little disruption to the city's regular business routine after it was confirmed that there were no impending dangers as a result of the low-speed derailment.
Fornwald said the debriefing session EMO held with the CP and other emergency responders following the accident, has led to an improved channel of communications.
"They have seen a few staffing changes there so we expect to have more frequent meetings with them where we can air any areas of concerns we might have," she said. She also said the rail company had indicated they planned to continue a track upgrade and maintenance schedule for the immediate area.
In a report to Estevan City Council on July 21, Fornwald said the emergency medical services team has a new manager, or rather, a returned manager, since Gene Stephany had retained the position he had held earlier before temporarily filling another position within the Sun Country Health Region.
Fornwald said her department continued to be on an alert mode while the re-construction and repaving project moved along on 13th Avenue up to Sixth Street which has closed that vital intersection in the city on and off, for about three weeks.
Estevan's traffic configurations allow local motorists just three opportunities to cross the CP Rail tracks with the Sixth Street link in the central part of the city being the most vital and busiest. With it being closed for an extended period to allow construction and paving crews the opportunity to do their work unimpeded, it has meant traffic has had to be re-routed with the only north/south access points being at Sister Roddy Road on the city's extreme west side and Kensington Avenue on the far east side.
"We have discussed this situation with Estevan Police Service and Fire Rescue regarding closing routes," she said, referring to the contingency plans that would have to be put in place if a major accident occurred at or near Sister Roddy Road or Kensington Ave.
Other routes that may be closed temporarily, are also entered into the daily discussions, she said.
The EMO co-ordinator said an emergency preparedness power-point presentation for schools has also been developed and they have conducted a table top exercise and debriefing regarding the regional airport emergency plans.
