Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Train Carrying Propane/Crude Oil Derailed Tuesday Night

UPDATE: The Department of Public Safety's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) provided the following update on emergency response to a train derailment near Plaster Rock this morning.

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre remains activated and EMO continues to monitor the situation in Wapske, near Plaster Rock.

A news conference will take place at 11 a.m. TODAY, Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the council chambers of the Tobique Plex, 159 Main St., Plaster Rock. Officials from EMO will participate.

EMO has regional staff on the ground and has activated a regional operations centre in the area. Staff in Fredericton continue to provide support.

The Regional Fire Marshall is in place with the Plaster Rock volunteer fire department and will co-ordinate fire suppression activities.

The evacuation zone remains closed off and is secured by RCMP. The evacuation zone is a two-kilometre radius from the incident site.

An evacuation site remains open at the Tobique Plex. The Red Cross continues to provide service at this centre. At this time EMO is advising the public to avoid the area while first responders deal with the situation.

Residents of Plaster Rock are advised to check their voicemail for emergency messages from Plaster Rock Emergency Measures Organization. If you need help or information, contact the Plaster Rock EMO at 1-506-356-6071.

Canadian National have indicated that if the evacuation of local homes is prolonged, it will provide hotel rooms for evacuees.

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring the smoke from the fire, which is currently moving east into a largely-uninhabited area. The Department of Health is advising the public of a possible effect on air quality east of this area.

Dr. Yves Léger, regional medical officer of health, says residents should take precautions when heavy smoke affects air quality.

"Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, smokers and people with chronic heart or lung diseases should stay indoors to reduce their exposure to the outdoor air," said Léger.

Minor smoke conditions do not typically cause health concerns in most healthy individuals. However, if smoke conditions become more severe, people may experience irritation of eyes, throat and possibly shortness of breath. Individuals should adapt their activities as necessary.
EMO advises the public to continue to monitor public alerts on the provincial government website.

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – The Department of Public Safety's Emergency Measures Organization is advising the public of a train derailment in the Plaster Rock area.

At 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7 NB EMO activated its Provincial Emergency Operations Centre after being notified by first responders of a train derailment in Wapske, outside the village of Plaster Rock.

The Plaster Rock volunteer fire department is at the scene of the incident and other fire departments are on standby for support. HAZMAT assets have also been dispatched to the scene.
The incident site is secured by RCMP traffic services.

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring the smoke from the fire which is currently moving east into largely uninhabited area. If necessary the New Brunswick Department of Health will issue public health advisories.

NB EMO has regional staff on the ground and staff in Fredericton are currently providing support to plan and coordinate a response. NB EMO has activated a regional operation centre in the area.

About 50 to 60 residents have been evacuated in a two-kilometre radius from the fire. An evacuation centre has been set up at the Tobique Plex on Main Street in Plaster Rock. The Red Cross is providing services at that centre.

At 10:30 p.m. NB EMO received the manifest of the train that has derailed. The load is described as a mix load of cargo that does include dangerous goods.

At this time NB EMO is advising the public to avoid the area while first responders deal with the situation. Anyone who has been evacuated can go to the Tobique Plex in Plaster Rock for shelter.
NB EMO advises the public to monitor public alerts at New Brunswick's Government website and to listen to emergency messages that will be broadcast on local radio.

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