County outlines emergency response approach following Paris train derailment

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A week after a CN Rail train derailment in Paris, County of Brant officials say the incident has prompted a review of emergency response protocols, though no major gaps were identified.

In a detailed response to The Paris Independent, the County’s Emergency Response Team said its Emergency Management Program is regularly reviewed by the Emergency Management Program Committee, which meets quarterly to assess training needs, recommend updates and refer changes to council.

Following significant incidents — such as last Friday’s derailment — staff conduct a post-event review to identify lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.

“Information was shared with the public as it became available,” officials said, noting the challenge of managing public expectations in the age of instant social media updates. One key takeaway, they added, is the need to reinforce that residents should avoid active emergency scenes for their own safety and that of first responders.

If a more serious or hazardous derailment were to occur, notification methods would depend on the nature and scope of the event. County staff say emergency services — including firefighters, operations crews and the OPP — would notify residents directly if there was an immediate risk. The County would also use Alert Ready, Canada’s national emergency alerting system, along with its website, email subscription list, social media channels, and local media partners to keep residents informed.

In a catastrophic derailment, first responders would work with the railway company and specialized private-sector resources to contain and manage the incident safely. The County follows an “all hazards” approach to emergency planning, which covers everything from floods and severe weather to hazardous materials spills and large-scale accidents.

The County’s Emergency Management Plan is reviewed annually and updated as required. The next training exercise for the Emergency Operations Centre is set for late October, with the scenario kept secret from participants to better simulate real-world conditions.

Officials say evacuation planning also considers vulnerable populations, including seniors, residents without transportation and those with mobility challenges. In such cases, the County would work with Brant Transit and other transportation providers to assist with evacuation.

Residents are encouraged to subscribe to County news alerts at brant.ca/Subscribe, follow official social media channels, and download the WeatherCAN app for weather-related warnings.