Emergency response group moving ahead

Canadian Pacific Rail has donated a trailer to Red Wing Community Awareness Emergency Response. The donation represents a significant boost for the fledgling organization.

Red Wing CAER comprises several companies, including Archer Daniels Midland, Canadian Pacific Rail, Wilson Oil, Xcel Energy and local governments -- principally the city of Red Wing.

The group prepares emergency response plans and would be a first responder in the event of an industrial emergency, such as an oil spill or train derailment, in Red Wing and the surrounding area.

"It's a good example of the public and private sectors working together," said Red Wing CAER Chair Darwyn Tri, who works for ADM.

In the past year, Red Wing CAER has been working to organize and has begun to morph into a functioning organization.

In the event of an emergency, Red Wing CAER would act as an immediate responder and would look to mitigate the size and impact of an industrial disaster. It would not be responsible for full clean up efforts.

Because they're pooling their resources, companies and local governments now needn't all have the equipment necessary to respond to an emergency.

The donated trailer, meanwhile, helps in that it will allow Red Wing CAER to mobilize its emergency equipment to the site of an incident.

Originally the group had focused on how it would respond to possible emergencies along the river, but has expanded its purview.

"It (covers) all aspects of transportation modes," said Mike Wilson of Wilson Oil.

Group members have said the organization would look to cover the area between U.S. Lock & Dam No. 3 and Lake City, but would also help out elsewhere if asked.

The group meets monthly.

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