A recent rupture of a gas line at a future school site was an educational experience for city officials.
After construction crews hit a gas line at the construction site on June 3, Fortis B.C. shut down gas in the area and repaired the pipe. The site is the former home of Saint Mary's Hospital and the future home of Ãcole Qayqayt Elementary School.
Fire Chief Tim Armstrong said city officials used the incident as an opportunity to test the city's emergency plans.
"We couldn't have planned for a better exercise for the city," he told council June 10.
Armstrong said the city's response included setting up a mobile command unit at the site, alerting emergency social services and working closely with Fortis B.C.
According to Armstrong, the fire department evacuated Urban Academy, which is located in close proximity to the construction site. Plans for alternate sites were pondered in case further evacuations were required. Staff from various departments met June 12 to review the response to the ruptured gas line.
"There is always room for improvement," Armstrong said.
tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
