Canada unveils flammable liquid safety website for first responders

Canada's transportation minister Marc Garneau yesterday announced an online "awareness tool" aimed at helping first responders deal with flammable liquid emergencies.

The emergencies could include train derailments involving crude oil spills. The tool helps first responders assess hazards at the scene, and provides contact and resource information to respond appropriately, according to a Transport Canada press release.

"Training is the backbone of any emergency response, and this new tool will help guide first responders in these critical situations," said Garneau.

The tool also addresses knowledge gaps identified by Transport Canada's Emergency Response Task Force following requests from municipalities and first responders in the aftermath of the deadly crude-oil train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, in July 2013.

The task force has examined 650 flammable liquids in Canada and provided more than 33 safety recommendations to date, with more expected in May.