Port Authority prepares for explosion in mock training exercise

“We’re going to have explosions, fire, terrorist intruders and victims,� said Don Faye, Port Manager in Shelburne and Marine Facility Security Officer (MFSO).

The exercise is designed to bring together and train emergency response personnel.

Since 9/11 Transport Canada brought in the regulations to secure sites that are importing and exporting goods throughout the country. Security within Canada has been drastically increased since the war on terrorism escalated.

“Technically they are controlling our borders,� said Faye, “All our drill exercises are a reflect from 9/11.�

Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 Shelburne’s entry port has had routine exercises in security and emergency response operations but never have they had a training exercise to this extent.

The purpose is to know how to respond to a crisis situation of possible unwanted intruders.

“A lot of people have a feeling, especially in Canada, it can’t happen to us, but we can’t look at it that way.�

One of the reasons for the exercise is to update and revise the facilities’ security plan with hopes of finding any mistakes in their emergency response.

“We all get a little lazy,� admitted Faye. “We do forget things at times, so these exercises are good, they bring us up to speed and make us aware of our faults.�

The exercise operations will be bringing together a large group of emergency response teams from the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), RCMP, firefighters, EHS, MFSO, Nova Scotia Power, and the Canadian Coast Guard Services (CCGS).

The entire wharf will be closed down during the exercise and the port authority is going to keep the general public out of the area.

Faye said, “We don’t want anyone interfering with operations for security and safety reasons.�

Shelburne Harbour will be one of many ports across Canada to have these exercises in security measures since the 9/11 attacks.

“We may be an insignificant small port but that’s what they [terrorists] look for,� Faye explained.

It is the goal of Transport Canada to keep ports like Shelburne aware of security, emergency response and the possibilities of unwanted intruders.

“We are prepared to a point,� Faye said.

“It doesn’t matter how much you practice, you are never really prepared for the real thing, but at least this will give us an idea… I just hope we pass the grade,� Faye added with a chuckle.