Emergency response assistance plans (ERAPs)

Before you apply

Plan ahead

If you would like to apply for approval of an ERAP, there are steps you can take ahead of time.

  1. Understand the consequences of a release or anticipated release.

    This is a good place to start developing your plan. It is important that you understand what can happen during a release or anticipated release of dangerous goods, and how to address it.

    To help you identify what can happen and what to do, create a potential incident analysis (PIA). This assessment is required by paragraph 7.3(2)(m) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. It must include at least 4 different scenarios and describe:

    • the possible consequences of the release or anticipated release
    • the measures, organized by tier, to be taken in response to the release or anticipated release for each scenario
    • the persons responsible for taking the measures

    You must include this assessment with your ERAP application.

    Learn how to create your PIA and see an example.

  2. Determine the response capability you will need.

    You must ensure that resources, such as personnel and equipment, are in place to respond to a release or anticipated release of dangerous goods. Plan for resources that are appropriate for the mode of transport, means of containment and geographical area in which the dangerous goods will be transported.

    If you don't have all the resources needed to respond, you may use third parties who specialize in emergency response. You must have agreements in place with all emergency response contractors and mutual aid partners. Include these agreements with your ERAP application.

    Learn about types of third party responders and the contents of agreements.

  3. Create or make changes to your ERAP.

    You must include an up-to-date copy of your plan with your ERAP application. You can find what to include in your plan in the Guide to help you prepare your ERAP.

Get help preparing your application

You can hire a delegated ERAP writer to help you apply for approval of an ERAP.

A delegated writer is a third party you hire to help you:

  • write your ERAP and PIA
  • complete certain sections of your ERAP application on your behalf
  • prepare supporting documents for your ERAP application

A delegated ERAP writer may be the same third party that provides some or all of the response capabilities in your ERAP.

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