AbWARN.org

On February 26, Canwest News Service reported that the Organization for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) praised Canada’s emergency and disaster preparedness in a review of six countries’ risk management practices post-2001. The report highlights the creation of the Public Safety Canada department in 2003 and singles out the department’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program […]

An explosion at a sewage treatment plant in Langdon, just east of Calgary, has left one man with severe burns to his head, neck and hands.
The man was taken to the Foothills Hospital with second and third-degree burns to his head and neck and third-degree burns to both of his hands. He is currently listed […]

The American Water Works Association has partnered with WaterISAC to get out the word on free WaterISAC Pro subscriptions for its members serving fewer than 50,000 people. AWWA Executive Director Gary Zimmerman urged AWWA member utilities to participate in this unique opportunity. “Recognizing that information sharing is a critical element of a utility’s commitment to […]

In 2005, the city deployed a GIS tool to help deduce homeowners that have access to the municipal sewer system without paying. The city compiled homeowner documents, like builder permits, water service applications and sewerage excavation permits, which are different than applications for access to the sewer system. The GIS tool then produced a map […]

Further to Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report DIR09-030, on February 12, the Township of Malahide in southern Ontario ended the declaration of emergency over the flooding concerns in the hamlet of Port Bruce. Residents were allowed to return to their homes and no injuries were reported during the event.
Source article – Township of Malahide, 12 […]

On February 11, the Township of Malahide in southern Ontario declared a state of emergency over flooding concerns in the hamlet of Port Bruce. Residents in the affected area have been advised to evacuate their homes. Flooding was occurring in the Colin Street area, and police and fire crews were on scene ensuring the safety […]

Further to Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report DIR09-024, on February 11, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that tests confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza virus in a second commercial poultry operation in southern B.C. The CFIA indicated that all birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed in […]

Union subway station in downtown Toronto is open for morning service after being closed Wednesday night due to flooding from a burst water main.
Police said the station had to be evacuated Wednesday night after parts of a platform were flooded.
Source article:

Officials from Alberta Environment are investigating after grease and oil from one of the Suncor sites north of Fort McMurray spilled into the Athabasca River late Monday.
The spill wasn’t from a tailings pond, which contains waste from bitumen processing. Instead, it came from a cooling water pond that contains treated water from machinery such as […]

On February 2, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities John Baird tabled in the House of Commons amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Mr. Baird indicated that the amendments would enhance public safety by

reinforcing the existing Emergency Response Assistance Program;
requiring security training and screening of personnel working with dangerous goods;
enabling the drafting of […]