EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING

Federal fisheries legislation now requires Canadian pulp and paper mil ls to prepare Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) which include risk asses sments and countermeasures to prevent unscheduled effluent discharges. Additional goals are to minimize personal injury, property and produc t losses. Risk assessments are conducted to identify the nature and ma gnitude of site hazards. Counter-measures are subsequently prepared an d documented in a comprehensive plan which outlines the necessary admi nistrative details, communication networks, chains of command, roles a nd responsibilities, equipment resources, evacuation procedures, conta ct lists, and reporting requirements.