Saturday 2 October 2010

Mock Emergency . . .

I know . . . this is a quilting blog, but really there is more to life -unfortunately!
Honest – I would really rather be quilting.
DSC06332
So just to briefly explain – my day job as an administrator also includes many other hats that need to be thrown on at a moments notice.  This includes things like election officer, development officer, cleaning lady, weed inspector, financial officer, etc., etc.  I think you get the picture!  It also includes the duties as the emergency contact person (EMO officer) for the municipality.
DSC06338
As the EMO contact (I even have a certificate for this!) . . . I was contacted regarding an Enbridge Pipelines mock disaster exercise that was being held on Wednesday.
DSC06337 
So I figured that I could leave the 2009 financial statements, that are still not done, and head out of the office for the second day in a row this week.
If, at some point during my administration, any type of emergency was to happen, it would certainly be beneficial to see how the pros deal with a situation.  The safety procedures that these guys used were amazing!
I must say that Enbridge (maybe due to some of their recent situations), seems to really have the situation under control if and when something was to happen in this particular area.
DSC06348
The exercise started around 9:30 a.m. and for the next 1 1/2 hours, everything was an indoors course of what types of safety concerns the participants might encounter, the procedure and work lists for the various points which included site containment, implementation and use of the apparatus that was needed; deployment of the boom vane and the set up of the skimmer.
DSC06358
It was very interesting to be part of the “viewing” group that had each step explained as it was happening . . . usually only see this kind of thing on a news cast and never see it happening “for real”.
DSC06339
Every guy on the scene knew what their particular job was and everything appeared to be implemented like a well-greased wheel.
DSC06342
Once everything was in the water and the peat moss was released (to simulate oil), everyone had a bit of a debriefing on site as to how the deployment of the boom vane and the orange collection tubes had unfolded.
DSC06344 
Of course, some fella’s jobs didn’t look as exciting as others, but were just as important in the whole exercise as the ones that were down there getting their feet wet.
 DSC06356
The river water is pumped into this collection centre and the oil is skimmed off and pumped into a collection truck . . . skimmed water is sent back into the river and will eventually be re-skimmed a number of times before the job is done.
(Disclaimer:  I had other people talking in my ear at the same time, and this is my understanding of the whole procedure – I certainly hope I don’t have it too mixed up!)
Enbridge Pipelines provided an excellent lunch and educational morning.  Even though it wasn’t quilting – it was certainly worth knowing and learning about.
Any guesses how many women were there?
Give me your guess by Friday the 8th at 6:00 p.m. and I’ll have two Sipiweske patterns for the winner!
This is also my 300th post and I certainly hadn’t planned on it being about skimmers and vanes and such . . . but what the hey! – 300 is still 300.  Hope to stick around for another 300 – have a great week and good luck with the guesses.
I’m curious to see how many people actually make it to the end of this post to give a guess – good on ‘ya if you made it this far!

10 comments:

Joanne said...

Wow! Quite the day!
And your 300th post - congratulations!
I think you were the only woman there, but there had to be another one - just odds, so my guess is 2.
Thanks!

Jenny said...

ill guess 3...congrats on 300!

Mrs. Jackie Sue said...

I read it all! :) Husband and I are huge on safety, and I showed him the photos while I read the post! Congrats on 300! I admit when I read your question, my first hopeful thought was half the team! but then my guess is 1 (one).
Jackie (at) jackiesue.com

kerri m said...

We went through an Enbridge real " pipeline break this spring- I think I saw one woman around here- I'll still say one.

Marian said...

I figure you should always go with your first thought so I will also say only One!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

LOL I was going to go with one, but then I looked closely at the photo and I think I see a ponytail, of course it could be a guy's, but now I'm thinking 2~ you and one other. It looked like a beautiful day to be outside. :-) Congratulations on 300!

Jennifer said...

300 - congratulations! I will take a guess and say one, but that one - you - wears enough hats for a dozen women.

Peggy said...

As an ESS team member in BC, I get the need for safety and exercises - sounds like a good day. My first instincts tell me you were the only woman there, so that's my guess. And congrats on 300 posts - love your blog and am inspired by all your quilting. Blessings, Peg

Sue said...

From what I can see in your photos, I'm guessing there were 2 women there. Enbridge is doing a real clean-up near here, they had a spill in the Kalamazoo River recently, from what I've read they contained it pretty well.

Myra said...

Congrats on your 300th post Marlene!!
Boy am I behind on keeping up with my blogging friends! Been a busy/wedding year... Glad it is all done!!!
Now to catch up on what's been going on in your part of the world...