A group of community partners and stakeholders gathered in Mooretown at the Civic Centre Wednesday morning for an emergency response simulation.
Members included Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment and Sustainability (BASES).
It was hosted by NOVA Chemicals and led by the St. Clair Township Fire Department.
This year, it was a rail yard simulation which included the derailment of a cyclohexene tank car.
Those who attended learned about what happens during the cyclohexene pool fire, exposure to butene from a tank car and a grass or bush fire.
BASES General Manager Jason Vaillant said this will show how emergency responders approach industrial incidents.
"The exercise is designed to simulate a life event. We don't want this to happen but if it did we know that we've got the right skills for the people who are responding, we have the right equipment in place," he said. "That physical aspect to this is hugely important to make sure that everything works the way it needs to, should something happen."
He said the simulation needs to be a regular event.
"Doing this annually and getting this many different organizations and municipalities together is hugely important to ensure that we have trained people, that our equipment is working," Vaillant said.
He said while the physical simulation happens once a year, emergency personnel meet on a monthly basis.
"Making sure that they're prepared for regulatory changes or equipment changes, so it's not just a one time event, the discussion and collaboration happens throughout the year," he said.
Vaillant said it's important to have a relationship with community partners and stakeholders.
"In the event something does happen, the response can happen in an effective way and we can keep the community safe," he said.
Last year's exercise was co-hosted by the St. Clair Ethanol Plant.