HomeMy WebLinkAboutCO 02-05REPORT TO COUNCIL
Report Number: CO 02-05
Date: June 6, 2005
From:
Maurice S. Brenner
Regional Councillor Ward One
Acting Mayor
Subject:
Possible Bomb Threat
- OPG Pickering Site
Recommendation:
A review with Durham Region, OPG, Durham Regional Police Services, City of
Pickering and Provincial personnel, what transpired, what potential risks
Pickering faced and could have faced? And required changes to protocols and
required resources.
2. Implementation of required changes within specified timeframe.
Executive Summary: As Council is aware on Friday, June 3rd, we experienced
what could have been a very serious risk to our community following an incident at the
Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
Not only did we face a possible risk from what could have been a real bomb, but a
major component of our Fire Services where in a lock down situation at the plant for
this period.
Adding to this, was the impact of 2 traffic accidents which resulted in total gridlock for
some 3 hours. While certainly not the norm, the above incidents left the residents of
Pickering in a vulnerable state.
While the staff of the City of Pickering conducted themselves with full commitment to
ensure the communities wellbeing, it was abundantly clear to myself and the CAO that
there is an urgent need to pursue better network of communication with OPG and the
City of Pickering. Further it is felt that a better state of readiness is required to avoid
any major impact on our residents in the future.
In order to shed some light on what transpired, I feel it necessary to review with you the
manner in which this unfolded and what has come to light as it pertains to potential
risks to our community.
To be perfectly clear the potential risk was noted by OPG sometime between 12:00
noon and 1:00 pm. It was not until close to 6:45 pm that it was confirmed that this was
not a real pipe bomb but a look alike.
Report CO 02-05
Subject: Possible Bomb Threat at OPG Pickering Site
Date:
June 6,2005
Page 2
The following is an account of what transpired between the time it was detected and the
time that it was confirmed that there was no bomb.
Financial Implications: None.
Background:
1:27 pm
I was paged by Mr. Quinn.
1:30 pm
CAO, Tom Quinn advised me of a situation at the Pickering Nuclear Generating
Station. Information had been provided to the C^O by the Fire Chief who advised that
Station 5 had responded to a call at the Nuclear station following a bomb like object
being located.
Mr. Quinn advised me that the City had not received any formal contact prior to the Fire
Chief's information from OPG officials. It was however confirmed that a voice message
was left for the Mayor to call OPG about a possible incident at the plant. Because the
Mayor was attending FCM this message was not readily accessible.
I requested that Mr. Quinn follow-up with Police and OPG as per our emergency
response and to keep me appraised in order that we may determine if a state of
readiness would be required.
1:30 pm
The Duty Officer from the Durham Emergency Management Office telephoned the
Pickering Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) to determine if the
City was aware that the Province had declared a Reportable Event (as classified under
the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Plan) at PNGS at 12:45 pm. Unaware that the CAO
had already been informed of the fire response, but not the Reportable Event, the
Pickering CEMC requested details.
1:35 pm
The CEMC provided the CAO with the information that he had just received from the
Region.
1:49 pm
An overview of what was transpiring was sent to all members of Council by Blackberry.
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Report CO 02-05
Subject: Possible Bomb Threat at OPG Pickering Site
Date: June 6, 2005
Page 3
2:01pm
I was updated by the CAO who stated that the investigating agency confirmed it is a
bomb.
2:02 pm
Councillor Pickles who was also attending FCM responded by Blackberry and advised
that he would ensure that the Mayor was notified.
2:15 pm
The Pickering CEMC called the Durham Duty Officer to determine if he was aware that
the Police were treating the situation as a potential bomb threat. He advised that the
Region and Province were only aware that the device that had been discovered was
just an "unidentified piece of equipment" and that it was not likely a bomb.
2:10 pm
The Pickering CEMC called the Provincial Operations Centre and learned that what the
Regional Duty Officer had said was the only information that the Province had about
the event.
2:30 pm
OPG Senior Site Vice President advised me that at this point, there was no
confirmation and that it was either a bomb or a look alike object. I was advised that the
community was not at risk since the location was not within the reactor area but at a
switching area between Pickering A and B and as such would not pose any risk to the
nuclear side.
2:33 pm
An update was sent to all members of Council by Blackberry.
3:10 pm
A briefing meeting was held with the CAO, Fire Chief and myself in order to assess
what steps should be taken. While OPG staff maintained that there was no risk to the
community additional information that was provided by the Durham Regional Police via
the Inspector confirmed that it had not been ruled out that there was a bomb, further
there was concern that if it was and exploded that
(a) Pickering could expect some power outages;
(b) There was a risk that Fire Services could have to deal with an oil fire.
We also contacted OPG staff as part of our briefing. The information obtained from
OPG was in conflict with that which was obtained from both the Police and Fire
Services.
OPG continued to hold the opinion that there was no risk since there was no
confirmation that it was a bomb.
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Report CO 02-05
Subject: Possible Bomb Threat at OPG Pickering Site
Date: June 6, 2005
Page 4
It was determined that the City of Pickering must act on the side of caution and would
implement measures to put its staff on standby. This decision was not made lightly. It
was the view of myself as Acting Mayor, the CAO and the Fire Chief that given the
information available at the time and with City services shutting down at 4:30 pm,
immediate steps must be taken in the event that the concerns expressed DRPS
transpired.
I advised OPG of the decision and raised 4 questions pertaining to possible community
risks given what we had been advised:
(1) What risk was there be to the Power Supply in the event that it was a bomb and
it went off?
(2) Is there a risk of fire and to what extent and in particular why was concern raised
about a potential oil fire?
(3) The City of Pickering was expecting at least 5000 persons on the waterfront for
Dragon Boat racing commencing that night. Was there a risk to these people
and others in the area?
(4) Given that this is not considered a potential Nuclear risk which emergency plan
are they operating under and what protocol is being followed.
3:25 pm
The City of Pickering commenced phase one of its Community Emergency
Management procedures by convening a meeting with all specified Managers and
Division Heads and Transit. Staff were advised of what had transpired and instructed
to communicate to line Managers to hold staff at the Recreation Complex and
Operations Centre.
4:07 pm
A message was sent to all Members of Council by Blackberry advising them that the
City had implemented phase one of the Community Emergency Management Plan.
5:00 pm
We were advised that a robot was being used to remove the object to a safe location
that would minimize impact should it be a bomb. The item was also being neutralized
by spray.
5:15 pm
City of Pickering management staff where advised that from the most recent update
that we would stay on alert however they could go home and remain on call.
6:58 pm
It was confirmed that the item was an imitation pipe bomb and a full investigation was
underway as to who and how it got in the facility.
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Report CO 02-05
Subject: Possible Bomb Threat at OPG Pickering Site
Date: June 6, 2005
Page 5
7:06 pm
Members of Council were advised by Blackberry and the alert was lifted.
Observations:
While some 6 hours later it was evident that there was no risk to Pickering it bodes the
question what would have been the impact if it had turned out otherwise?
Given all the variables of what was transpiring at the same time in Pickering and in
particular following the closures of our major roadways during a Friday rush hour
coupled with a scarcity of emergency services personnel for a period of several hours
our City was at great risk.
Endorsed By:
Maurice S. Brenner
Regional Councillor Ward One
Acting Mayor
Doug Dickerson
City Councillor Ward Two
Bill McLean
Regional Councillor Ward Two
MB:rm
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
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