Emergency Response Plans

PMC co-ordinates all Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and first responder activities for our regulated pipelines and facilities through the overarching Emergency Management program.

PMC has federally and provincially governed ERPs and has established site-specific plans for our areas of operation deemed to be critical.

PMC's emergency responses are guided by our Emergency Response Plans (ERP) which are required by regulation and include the following components:

  • Immediate actions to protect worker and public safety
  • Criteria for assessing emergency situations
  • Procedures for mobilizing PMC personnel and other responders
  • Information about stakeholders in order immediate to notify anyone who may be potentially affected by the incident
  • Methods for establishing communication and coordination between PMC and other responders
  • Information about potential hazards identified in our operations

 

Within our ERPs, PMC establishes emergency planning zones (EPZ) using approved methodology set out by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and in accordance with our risk management protocols. Our risk management protocols include the engagement of key stakeholders to identify hazards, assess risks and develop controls to ensure protection of the public and the environment. For more information, read the AER's EPZ requirements in Alberta and the CAPP companion guide.

PMC's ERPs are developed and tested in coordination with first responder’s local authorities and regulators. Please visit our Training and Exercises page for more information on emergency management exercises.

How to Use the Emergency Response Plan

This manual is arranged with the company response personnel in mind. The first eight sections are what form the PMC Core Emergency Response Plan (Core ERP) and are consistent across all PMC operations and associated ERPs. Sections 8 and 9 contain all area and/or site specific information to each ERP.

The table below provides additional information.

Section 0 - Overview

An introduction to the plan that outlines the Emergency Management Program and the emergency response framework.

Section 1 – Initial Response

Provides an Initial Response Checklist to intiate an incident response and activate the Incident Management Team while considering the safety of responders, workers and the public.

Section 2 – Roles and Responsibilities

Outlines the ICS Planning cycle and contains roles and responsibilities checklists for all possible Incident Management Team and Incident Support Team positions.

Section 3 – Public Protection & Responder Safety

Processes and considerations to protect responders and to determine the safest way to protect the public during an incident.

Section 4 – Incident Specific Measures

Information and procedures specific to various identified incident types. Note that these are not Standard Operating Procedures and outline general guidelines emergency responders to consider.

Section 5 –  Communications & Media

Provides an overview of the Crisis Communications Manual and outlines protocol for emergency communications and general media interactions.

Section 6 – Forms

Includes all forms required in an emergency (Government First Call, Incident Command System, Public Safety and Emergency Operations Centre).

Section 7 – Reference Material

General ERP related information including: regulatory references, plan maintenance, acronyms, glossary terms, and product characteristics.

Section 8 - Government Agencies and Local Authorities

Outlines the notification requirements and contains the roles and responsibilities for lead and supporting agencies that are specific to the ERP. Also includes the roles and responsibilities for local/regional authorities and mutual aid.

Section 9 – Area/Site Specific Information

Includes contact information, maps, technical data, response equipment, lead agencies, support services and confidential information.

 

ERPs for liquid pipelines may also have detailed plans, called Control Points, that outline how, where and what equipment is necessary to respond in the event of a release. Sensitive areas, as well as information about residents, are securely contained within mapping systems PMC maintins and uses in the event of an emergency.

In April, 2016, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) issued order MO-006-2016 which requires CER-regulated oil and gas pipeline companies to publish emergency response plans. The public’s desire to have more information about emergency management is in line with PMC’s commitment to clear communications and transparency to stakeholders. 

Click on the button below to review a copy of one of our CER-regulated emergency response plans. For protection of privacy and confidentiality, some information has been removed : VIEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS

In addition to ERPs, there are several other types of plans that could be implemented during an emergency, depending on the situation. This could include wildlife response and rehabilitation plans, waste management and remediation plans, and other plans in place to manage specific and potential impacts. For more information, please email emergency.management@plainsmidstream.com.

 

In accordance with Canada Energy Regulator (CER) Order MO-002-2017 (the Order), PMC has made Emergency Management Program information available on its website for public viewing. Links to additional Emergency Management Program information are provided below:

Emergency Management Program

Training and Exercises

Incident Management

Stakeholder Engagement and Continuing Education

What to do in an Emergency