Mock disaster training involving local authorities at Maynooth Public School on May 6, 2023.
May 2, 2023—On Saturday, May 6, 2023, at approximately 9:00 AM, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB), will conduct mock disaster training at Maynooth Public School. The mock disaster will simulate a propane leak where the emergency is non-containable, as determined by the fire department, and the school would be forced to evacuate to an alternate location.
Students and most staff will not be present at the school during the drill, so the mock disaster training will focus on emergency response to the scenario, which will involve select HPEDSB staff, the propane vendor and the Maynooth Fire Department. During this time, emergency vehicles and personnel will be present at and around the school.
The mock disaster is strategically planned for a Saturday, to avoid learning disruption and causing undue alarm to students. All emergency response exercises will be simulations. There will be no danger to anyone at the school or in the surrounding area during the drill.
To alleviate concern about the unusual activity, immediate neighbours of Maynooth Public School will be notified in-person about the simulation in advance of the mock disaster drill Saturday morning. School families will receive a letter from the school about the emergency exercise in advance of the simulation.
Environmental Emergency Regulations 2019, made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999, were developed to reduce instances of the release of hazardous substances and to improve capacity to deal with environmental emergencies. The regulation applies to any organization that has charge of any hazardous substance listed in the Environmental Emergency Regulations (E2).
Maynooth Public School has quantities of propane that are detailed in the E2 regulation that require an Environmental Emergency Plan.
As propane-related emergencies differ from other building emergencies, each year school administrators and custodial staff receive training about how to respond to these scenarios. Every five years, for which 2023 is year five, the plan must be exercised through mock disaster training and simulation.
For more information about the mock disaster training at Maynooth Public School, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, at [email protected] or 613-966-1170 ext. 62354.