Mock -Leck tests Emergency reaction at Arlanxeo

Arlanxeo personnel and partner agencies were put to the test on Wednesday during a annual emergency facilities organized by the Bluewater Association for Security, Environment and Sustainability (bases).

The butyl production exercise was directed at the Auditorium of Arlanxeo at the Vidal Street location, where community members and representatives of the industry observed.

The President and Local Manager of Arlanxeo, Peter West, said the simulation was designed as the second worst scenario.

“We have created this scenario to test our skills and look at our procedures and ensure that our willingness should be that our assets work as they should,” said West. “We are very much looking forward to doing this with base members and having a critical feedback to improve our systems.”

In the event of an actual emergency, the Vidal Street would be closed for traffic and the Sarnia Police Service would issue a protection on site (both did not take place as part of the exercise).

During the simulation, the crews had to identify the leak, check the fire valve, carry out the air monitoring of the fence line, observe the wind direction and create a “water curtain” to prevent the chemical from being over at the point.

If these measures were not effective, Arlanxeo would require mutual help. Company representatives also said that various codes were issued during this process, and a stopping declaration would know for the members of the community when there was a problem.

The simulation was compressed in an hour, but West noticed that the process would probably take several hours depending on the problem. The simulation was also designed in such a way that they contain several different errors.

After the simulated exercise, a complete debriefing should take place.

“We have a different basis here who help us check our systems and compare them with their and ensure that we meet a standard that is necessary in the community – and expected from the community,” said West.

Arlanxeo President and location manager Peter West. May 7, 2025. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

He said a goal that they wanted to achieve through the simulated exercise, be it to develop confidence in the community.

“In order for the community to understand that we have the ability to react, but also to test the emergency systems that are available in other places,” said West. “With Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which are our tight neighbors in the south, we would like to ensure that our systems work properly, that their systems work properly and that we use the opportunity to really understand whether there are gaps and how they can repair them before we have an incident.”

Apart from air monitoring measures, the company also found tools on site for the treatment of water that can be contaminated.

The event on Wednesday took place as part of the Emergency preparation week. This year's national topic was “prepared. Know your risk”.

While the emergency simulation takes place once a year, General Manager of Bases, Jason Vaillant, said several times for training purposes.

Another base member is selected every year to host the simulation.

Before exercising on Wednesday, a notification of the Sarnia Lambtone notification system was issued to inform parish members about the increased activity in the Churchill Line area and the Highway 40.