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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. CORP0227-07/01 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. CORP0227-07/01 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. CORP0227-07/01 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 CORP0227-07/01