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Pipeline safety plans on the drawing board T
he school district has come up with a safety plan for schools to deal with pipeline-related emergencies, the NOW has learned. The plan outlines response recommendations for two pipeline scenarios: rupture of a line during excavation or an underground leak. The plan asks schools to identify major pipelines by looking for the telltale yellow Kinder Morgan pipeline signs. If those are found within 100 metres of the buildings, there should ON MY BEAT be an alternative evacuation Jennifer Moreau route and a safe destination away from the release site, the document explains. According to the plan, signs of an underground pipeline rupture can include a hissing or roaring sound, liquid on the ground near the pipeline, dirt blown into the air, fire or a dense white cloud, and the strong scent of petroleum. In that case, teachers are supposed to evacuate the area immediately, administer first aid if needed and notify administration, which will then call the Trans Mountain emergency line. In the case of a rupture during excavation, which happened in Burnaby’s Westridge neighbourhood in 2007, teachers follow the same protocol, and administrators will call 911, as well as Trans Mountain, the pipeline operator. For ruptures, teachers should assess the situation based on the proximity of the
Keeping schools safe:
A sign warns of the presence of the Kinder Morgan pipeline near Stoney Creek School. The school district has come up with a safety plan for schools to deal with pipelinerelated emergencies. Larry Wright/ burnaby now
leak, and then keep the students inside and close the doors and windows if there is airborne oil or white fog. The plan also outlines steps for evacuating the building and administering first aid. The Burnaby Teachers’ Association
reviewed the plan and sent some suggestions to the district. Association president James Sanyshyn has more questions about specifics for each school. “The plan looks pretty good as a first draft. I would say what they need to make sure is to create school-specific plans,”
Sanyshyn said. “We haven’t seen those. We just got the generic template from the district.” The teachers’ association also suggested schools hold drills for an environmental Schools Page 9
Councillors offer mixed reviews on four-year terms Stefania Seccia staff reporter
Burnaby council mostly welcomes a four-year cycle, if the province follows through with its proposal to extend terms by one year for councillors and school trustees. The B.C. government is intending to pass legislation during the current session
to change local elections from three-year to four-year terms beginning with the upcoming election in November. Coun. Dan Johnston said he supports the four-year term because the third year is usually spent in election mode. “The third year tends to be hijacked by the political agenda as opposed to the business of the community,” Johnston told the NOW. “I think an extra year will bring
more continuity to the people’s business.” Overall, Johnston said one more year isn’t a big deal. But Coun. Colleen Jordan does not share that view. Jordan said having a fourth year added to her term could impact her decision to run. “It makes it a harder decision to run,” she added. “I want to retire before a cer-
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tain age.” Jordan also said the province has not done enough to consult the public. “It’ll be another four years before people are held accountable again,” she noted. Coun. Nick Volkow said the four-year term is a good idea. “You can follow through with longterm planning decisions. See where your Council Page 9
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