Event Recap:

On May 2nd and 3rd, the Director and Manager of Coastal Conservation attended a simulated spill response scenario at Monck Provincial Park with Trans Mountain. The two-day event was aimed at improving the team's emergency response skills and protocols, in case of an oil spill.

The first day of the event was focused on covering emergency response equipment usage and protocols. The attendees were taught how to use the various equipment necessary in case of a spill, such as booms, skimmers, and pumps. They were also trained on the different response protocols that need to be followed in case of a spill incident.

On the second day, the exercise involved a simulated spill incident that required the team to put into practice all the skills and protocols they had learned on the first day. The simulated incident involved oil pollution in Monck Lake, and the team had to follow a detailed incident report to establish an Incident Command System.

To address the spill, three boats were engaged to deploy boom and contain the spill, while crews on land set up a wildlife station to help protect wildlife in the affected area. Additionally, hot and cold stations were set up to provide support and refreshments to the response team working in the field.

The two-day exercise provided valuable insights into the various steps and protocols involved in responding to and maintaining an incident, whether on land or in water. The team was able to put into practice their skills and protocols in a simulated environment, allowing them to be better prepared in case of an actual emergency. Overall, the event was a success, and the team came away with a better understanding of the importance of emergency response preparedness in environmental conservation.