Partnerships for Emergency Preparedness

CN's Emergency Response Team Leads Critical Drill in British Columbia

On August 20, CN led a large-scale emergency response drill near the Bulkley River in Smithers, B.C., simulating a train derailment involving 24 tank cars. While only an exercise, the drill was designed to test the coordination between CN and key stakeholders, including emergency response teams, government regulators, and local First Nations communities.

The two-day event featured both a table-top exercise and an equipment deployment. Over 60 participants collaborated to ensure that in the event of a real incident, response teams are prepared to act swiftly and safely.

In addition to improving emergency preparedness, the drill also aimed to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities along the Bulkley River. The river, called "Wet'sinkwha" (blue and green river) by the Wet'suwet'en people, holds significant cultural and environmental importance.

Rodney Harris, a Gitksan Ranger who participated in the event, states: "It is good that CN is doing this [exercise], to find out who everyone is and how we are all going to fit together. We can't do it alone. We need different levels of expertise."

By working together in a non-emergency environment, CN and its partners are better equipped to protect both the environment and the communities along the railway.