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City of Regina says it's prepared for major rail disaster

The City of Regina says it's prepared for a major rail derailment or explosion, even if it's on the scale of the Lac-Mégantic disaster.

In that 2013 freight train crash and explosion in the Quebec town, 47 people were killed and more than 30 buildings were destroyed.

A report that went to the city's emergency measures committee this week said Regina has plans in place to deal with a variety of different disaster scenarios, including oil tanker explosions.

In 2013, 18,250 crude oil tanker cars went through Regina, but there were no spills or major accidents. In the parlance of emergency planners, it's considered a low-probability event, but one with high consequences.

"It is understood that a derailment of Lac-Mégantic's magnitude will require all of the first responder resources Regina has, including industry partners, to resolve," the report from the city staff and the fire department says.

"Comprehensive plans are in place to ensure City departments are ready and able to respond."

If there was a major rail derailment involving hazardous goods, it could mean a massive evacuation, because rail lines run through the city and large percentage of homes lie within the evacuation zone.

The report notes that the fast flow of information is crucial if such a disaster happens — both receiving from the rail companies involves and disseminating it to the public.

The city is planning to beef up its public emergency announcement system, adding emails, texts and voice mail.