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1989
Pacific Region responds to oil spill
emergency
by Marguerite Trommeshauser
The Department's emergency response team in the Pacific Region was put to the
test this winter, following an oil spill off the remote western coast of
Vancouver Island.
Regional Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Frank Tusko was in the regional
office January 2 (a government holiday) when a call was received from
Environment Canada requesting emergency telecommunications equipment.
The Region's Emergency Telecommunications Plan was activated. Amphitrite Point
had been chosen as the operational control centre site, an area in close
proximity to the spill and yet difficult to access because of rugged terrain.
With the cooperation of the provincial telephone company, B.C. Tel, four
telephone lines and sets were provided to the site within five hours of the
initial request.
The Department must ensure the efficient provision of adequate
telecommunications support in response to emergencies. What is needed, where and
how it can be obtained, how it can be delivered and how it is to be maintained
or restored are points that the Department of Communications must address in
every circumstance.
Regular meetings of the Pacific Region Emergency Telecommunications committees
keep the members current on emerging issues and the latest technologies for use
in handling emergency situations. As Frank Tusko says: "The purpose of planning
and exercises is to command the future and not be commanded by it."
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