On June 24, Bluestem Utilities‘ Panorama Mountain utility, servicing Panorama Mountain Resort, British Columbia, conducted an extensive propane emergency scenario with the Panorama Fire and Rescue Services personnel and Panorama Mountain Resort Safety Services team members. The Canadian federal government requires a full-scale, multi-agency emergency scenario drill due to the volume of liquid propane stored at the facility (60,000 US gallons).

The practice scenario simulated a catastrophic release of liquid propane due to a piping failure at the bottom of the tank. The resulting propane vapour cloud triggers a limited evacuation of the Panorama community proximal to the propane storage facility. The scenario commenced with a presentation to the participants to describe the event, identify the anticipated safety hazards, and review the required response. The scenario concluded with a familiarization tour of the propane storage facility and a scenario debrief.

Andrew Cradduck, Kootenay Area Manager, conducts a debrief with scenario participants and answers questions.