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A brief history of CVECO and CAER…
The Chemical Valley Emergency Coordinating Organization (CVECO) had its origins in 1951, following a major explosion and fireball at one of the local petrochemical industries (Polysar). Drawn by curiosity and a lack of awareness of the potential danger, a large number of spectators arrived to watch the event. After a review of the incident, local industries realised that they needed to work with Sarnia Police in order to keep the public out of harm’s way during industrial emergencies. The “Chemical Valley Emergency Traffic Control Committee” was formed as a result.
Also formed in 1951 was the Chemical Valley “Industrial Mutual Fire Aid” Organization. Its founding members were the City of Sarnia Fire Department and companies which had their own fire departments. This is believed to be the first industrial mutual aid organization in Ontario.
The traffic control and mutual aid organizations continued as separate entities for twenty years. In 1971 however, they amalgamated under one body - The Chemical Valley Emergency Control Organization. When municipal governments were assigned legal control of emergencies in the aftermath of the Mississauga train derailment of 1979, CVECO’s “second C” was changed to “Co-ordinating” rather than “Control”.
Five years later, the injury and loss of life at Bopol in India made community preparation for an emergency a high profile topic. Early in 1985, the Lambton Industrial Society developed a community awareness program in Lambton County and on January 1, 1986, the Canadian Chemical Producers Association brought out its Code of Practice.
In 1986, the newly organized Community Awareness Committee became the "CA" part and CVECO became the "ER" part of the new, Sarnia-Lambton CAER organization. As a consequence, Sarnia was one of the first three municipalities in Canada to be awarded the CAER Achievement Award by the Canadian Chemical Producers Association, signifying integrated industrial-community preparedness for an emergency.
CVECO has grown to include more than fifty government, industry, utility and business groups in both Ontario and Michigan. Lambton County’s Emergency Services, Emergency Medical Services and Community Health Services Departments have long been active on a number of CVECO and CAER committees. Other community members include, the City of Sarnia, Township of St.Clair, Village of Point Edward, Aamjiwnaang First Nation and St.Clair County USA. |
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The St. Clair Township Fire Department deals with a smaller, but also spectacular tank fire on Bentpath Line in April of 2002. |
When an accidental chemical release occurs, a Shelter-In-Place advisory is sometimes issued as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and safety of residents. In the event of a more serious or longer term incident, residents may be requested to evacuate.
To obtain information and instructions, listen to your radio - municipal officials and emergency responders in your area will use the radio to provide instructions to the public so tune to a Sarnia radio station and leave the radio tuned to that station!
Do not call 9-1-1 to ask for information! Only call 9-1-1 to provide information or to report an emergency. If you suspect a chemical substance has been released in a closed area such as a building, avoid breathing any of the fumes and evacuate as quickly as possible. Contact 9-1-1 immediately.
If someone has been exposed to a chemical, decontamination might be required before they can receive medical attention. Listen to advice from local officials. Exposure to a chemical substance may require quarantine and the attention of medical authorities. Because the type of chemical may not be known right away, treatment is based on symptoms. Therefore, keep track of symptoms (breathing and heart rate, perspiration, dizziness, skin tone, deliriousness) and tell them to medical personnel and public health agencies.
Shelter-In-Place
There may be instances where emergency officials advise residents within a specific area to “Shelter-In-Place”, especially if there has been a transportation accident or industrial incident involving the release of dangerous chemicals. If advised to “Shelter-In-Place” you should remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there because a closed build contains several hours of breathable air whereas the air outside may be unsafe.
The following steps will help maximize your protection:
- Close and lock all windows and exterior doors (locking doors and windows may allow them to seal more tightly).
- Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems (keep the outside air out, and the inside air in!).
- Close the fireplace damper.
- Get your emergency supplies kit, make sure the radio is working and keep it on to obtain information and instructions.
- Go to an interior room that’s above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. Listen closely to instructions given over the radio (CHOK 1070 AM).
- Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room (using plastic sheeting may create an even better seal).
- Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate. Local officials may call for the evacuation of specific areas in your community that are at greatest risk. Responders will advise when it is safe to go outside.
- Don’t forget to bring pets indoors too!
Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request and you should heed their advice immediately. Listen to your radio and follow the instructions of local emergency or municipal officials, keeping these simple tips in mind:
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Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
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Take your emergency supplies kit.
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Take your pets with you; do not leave them behind (most evacuation centres will try to accommodate pets but it may be best if you tried to find other logging for them).
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Lock your home.
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Take a cellular telephone if you have one.
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Collect family members or go to the place designated in your family plan as a meeting place.
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Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don’t use shortcuts – certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
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Stay away from downed power lines.
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If you go to an evacuation centre, sign up at the registration desk so you can be contacted or reunited with your family and loved ones.
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Contact your out-of-area emergency contact to let that person know what has happened, that you are okay, and how to contact you. Alert your contact to any separated family members.
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Listen to your radio for the most accurate information about your area. Staying tuned to local radio and television stations, and following their instructions, is your safest choice.
If you’re sure you have time:
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Call or e-mail your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive;
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If instructed to so do, shut off water and electricity before leaving. Leave natural gas service ‘on’ unless local officials advise you otherwise. You may need gas for heating and cooking and you will need to contact your utility company to reconnect appliances or restore gas service in your home once it’s been turned off. In a disaster situation, it could take weeks for a professional to respond.
