Question Period Note: Emergency Response Plan and firefighting at Wabush Airport

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About

Reference number:
TC-2022-QP-00001
Date received:
Feb 4, 2022
Organization:
Transport Canada
Name of Minister:
Alghabra, Omar (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Transport

Issue/Question:

Emergency Response Plan and airside firefighting at Wabush Airport

Suggested Response:

  • Tranport Canada owns and operates the Wabush Airport, which continues to operate safely and meets all applicable regulations.
  • The airport has a valid Emergency Response Plan which is currently being updated. As part of this process, TC plans to consult local airport stakeholders.
  • Transport Canada continues to maintain a dialogue with airport stakeholders and the community on issues related to the airport.

If pressed

  • Based on current traffic volumes, the Wabush Airport does not have a requirement to provide on-site firefighting.
  • There is nothing to suggest that the new position of Labrador City will affect scheduled service at the airport, including cancellations of scheduled flights.

Background:

Emergency Response Plan

  • The Wabush Airport is owned and operated by Transport Canada.
  • All airport operators must have an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) which must be updated and exercised regularly. The Wabush Airport’s ERP is valid and is currently being updated. As part of this process, Transport Canada will consult with local airport stakeholders.
  • Once the review is completed, the ERP will be tested in a live exercise planned for May 2022.
  • Following a recent emergency landing at the airport, which required the ERP to be activated, a local Fire Chief has publically critized the airport’s ERP as being ineffective.
  • On February 4, the Town of Labrador City issued a news release stating that they will no longer respond to emergency events at the Wabush Airport, citing lack of training on aircraft fires.
  • Transport Canada will be meeting with the Towns of Labrador City and Wabush to discuss these issues and potential solutions.

Airport Firefighting

  • The Canadian Aviation Regulations requires an onsite aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) service for any airport that exceeds 180,000 passengers annually.
  • Since 2014, passenger volumes have decreased below the 180,000 threshold and Transport Canada ended ARFF services on August 8, 2020.
  • Transport Canada continues to monitor passenger volumes at Wabush Airport from commercial air services.

Additional Information:

Location: Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador