Emergency agencies in the area have been thoroughly tested this week.
They have been participating in Huron Resolve, a five-day continuous exercise simulating the response to an earthquake impacting the Bruce Power site and surrounding area.
Vice-President of Corporate Affairs James Scongack says while an earthquake strong enough to disrupt the Bruce Power site is nearly impossible, they wanted to fully test the capability of the nuclear site to respond to a catastrophic event.
He says not only did they want to test themselves and all other emergency responders, but also to show the public they are ready for whatever is thrown their way.
"We hope that this exercise improves public confidence, I think we have a tremendous obligation operating this technology to do everything we can, leave no stone unturned and I think this coordination between agencies and [Bruce Power] has been an effective way of doing that," says Scongack. "And I think the public expects it."
He says Bruce Power's total cost for participating in Huron Resolve will no doubt run in the millions of dollars, but adds it's a worthwhile investment to make sure emergency response plans will work if they are ever required to be put into action.
Bruce Power runs about 100 emergency drills every year, but a large scale drill such as Huron Resolve is conducted every three years.
Lee Tome, deputy chief of the Amherstburg Fire Department, is monitored for contamination at the Kincardine Davidson Centre, which is designated as the emergency evacuation centre. (Photo by Jordan MacKinnon)
