The following announcement from FCM regards the Protective Direction regarding rail safety: specifically dangerous goods transported on trains. This is an important first step because railways, have we have seen in Calgary, Quebec, and in other ways, do not communicate very well with municipalities.
In response to questions emerging from the November 20 announcement of new measures to improve rail safety, I am pleased to provide some more information.
Our first responders need a variety of information to do their jobs effectively and safely. With regard to information on the transport of dangerous goods, municipalities and first responders have two areas of needs.
First, they need enough information for planning purposes such as having the right tools available and being adequately prepared to deal with an emergency. Second, they need immediate access to information for response in the event of an emergency.
The directive announced Wednesday was a critical first step intended to address serious information gaps related to the first category, emergency planning. The directive was developed in consultation with our first responders and meets their planning needs.
We recognize that both planning and response are critically important. Accessing information for emergency response is an important but separate issue. We continue to work with the government on the issues related to response.
Wednesday's announcement represents significant progress. In fact, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, one of the stakeholder groups working to strengthen rail safety, has also endorsed the new measures.
We asked for swift and concrete action and the government has started to deliver. The work is not finished and FCM will continue working with the government to meet the emergency response needs of local first responders.
Sincerely,
Brock Carlton
Chief Executive Officer
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