Caledon prepared to respond to hazardous materials emergency

Should a natural or human-caused emergency occur here, Caledon emergency services staff would be ready.

"As a member of the provincial response system that handles hazardous materials, the Town of Caledon's Department of Fire & Emergency Services can assess risks, capabilities, establish local response plans and call upon further resources if needed," said Brad Bigrigg, Town fire chief. "Our involvement is part of the comprehensive emergency response system that the Office of the Fire Marshal helped to establish after 9/11 in which provincial and municipal resources can be deployed."

The announcement comes after a recent annual program exercise, in which the provincial CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives) teams from Ottawa and Peterborough demonstrated their abilities to assist the Town of Gananoque in mitigating a jack-knifed tractortrailer and its overturned cargo of three chlorine cylinders at a popular intersection in the town.

"Through partnerships with local responders, officials, the mutual aid system and multiple emergency response organizations, this system provides us with a strong connection to provincial response capabilities, should the need arise," said Mayor Marolyn Morrison. "Our membership within this system is another way that we are working to enhance public safety in the community."

In addition to chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives abilities, the province also supports a heavy urban search and rescue (HUSAR) team that can be deployed.

In total, there are nine hazardous materials teams who operate at different levels throughout the province. Strategically located throughout the province, all teams can be notified and deployed 24/7 through the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre.