In London, we are fortunate to live in a relatively safe region of Canada. However, that does not mean that we are immune to the possibility of a large-scale emergency.
Disasters and emergencies are unpredictable. They can strike anytime and anywhere. Often they occur with very little warning. Although the likelihood that one will occur in our area may seem like a remote possibility, our region of Ontario is susceptible to severe storms, flooding, winter blizzards, and tornadoes.
A hazard identification and risk assessment study conducted by the City of London has identified the following potential hazards in our region:
Severe weather and other meteorological events
- Snow and ice storms
- Extreme temperatures
- Severe thunderstorms, windstorms, tornadoes, floods, brush fires
Major Accidents
- Hazardous materials incidents
- Fires and Explosions
- Transportation accidents (road and air) and train derailments
- Water contamination
Technological Failures
- Extended power outages
- Communications and network interruptions
- Bank system failures
Disease Outbreaks
- Widespread health emergencies
- Human or animal borne diseases
- Influenza and pandemic
Intentional Acts
- Arson
- Crime
- Protests and civil unrest
- Terrorism
The City of London works with area railways to understand the types of goods their trains carry through London. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) have made available a list of dangerous goods flowing through each municipality. The City and railways have held joint emergency planning exercises and training to improve response capabilities. The City also has emergency response plans specific to the rail lines and their operations in London.
2019 CN list of dangerous goods
Proper shipping name | % of dangerous goods shipments in London |
---|---|
Liquefied petroleum gases | 35% |
Sulfuric acid | 13% |
Diesel fuel | 5% |
Gasoline | 5% |
Petroleum crude oil | 4% |
Ethanol and gasoline mixture | 4% |
Vinyl chloride, stabilized | 3% |
Elevated temperature liquid | 2% |
Ammonium nitrate, liquid | 2% |
Alcohols | 2% |
Others | 26% |
These top 10 products comprise 74% of the dangerous goods shipments in London. The remaining 26% are many different products, each comprising less than 2% of the total. Dangerous goods shipments account for 17% of the total shipments in London.
2020 CN list of dangerous goods
Proper shipping name | % of dangerous goods shipments in London |
---|---|
Liquefied petroleum gases | 33% |
Sulfuric acid | 13% |
Gasoline | 7% |
Petroleum crude oil | 5% |
Ethanol and gasoline mixture | 5% |
Diesel fuel | 4% |
Vinyl chloride, stabilized | 3% |
Ammonium nitrate, liquid | 2% |
Xylenes | 2% |
Elevated temperature liquid | 2% |
Others | 24% |
These top 10 products comprise 76% of the dangerous goods shipments in London. The remaining 24% are many different products, each comprising less than 2% of the total. Dangerous goods shipments account for 17.74% of the total shipments in London.
2021 CN list of dangerous goods
Proper shipping name | % of dangerous goods shipments in London |
---|---|
Liquefied petroleum gases | 35% |
Sulfuric acid | 11% |
Ethanol and gasoline mixture | 6% |
Petroleum crude oil | 4% |
Gasoline | 4% |
Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, N.O.S. | 3% |
Vinyl chloride, stabilized | 3% |
Elevated temperature liquid, N.O.S. | 3% |
Diesel fuel | 3% |
Ammonium nitrate, liquid | 3% |
Others | 25% |
These top 10 products comprise 75% of the dangerous goods shipments in London. The remaining 25% are many different products, each comprising less than 2% of the total. Dangerous goods shipments account for 17.35% of the total shipments in London.
2023 CN list of dangerous goods
Proper shipping name | % of dangerous goods shipments in London |
Liquefied petroleum gases | 35% |
Ethanol and gasoline mixture | 10% |
Sulfuric acid | 10% |
Gasoline | 5% |
Diesel fuel | 4% |
Elevated temperature liquid, N.O.S. | 4% |
Vinyl chloride, stabilized | 3% |
Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, N.O.S. | 3% |
Ammonium nitrate, liquid | 3% |
Environmentally hazardous substance, liquid, N.O.S | 2% |
Others | 22% |
Click here to view the 2023 CN Dangerous Goods Shipments in London report.
2023 CPKC list of dangerous goods
Proper shipping name | % of dangerous goods shipments in London |
Alcohol, N.O.S. | 33.82% |
Liquefied petroleum gases | 13.33% |
Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, N.O.S. | 9.89% |
Sulfuric acid | 8.59% |
Ethanol and gasoline mixture | 7.09% |
Gasoline | 4.70% |
Elevated temperature liquid, N.O.S. | 3.73% |
Sodium hydroxide solution | 2.48% |
Ethanol | 1.75% |
Alcoholic beverages | 1.66% |
Other | 71% |
Click here to view the 2023 CPKC Dangerous Goods Shipments in London report.