LATEST NEWS 
August 29, 2006
Real-life demolition a highlight during disaster response exercise
FERGUS
Work and play combine as Fergus demolition, abatement and environmental remediation site hosts a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) disaster response exercise this week.
Centre Wellington District High School is slated for destruction by Restoration Environmental Contractors – REC Demolition after the five-day exercise is completed.
“There is an abatement of asbestos and hazardous materials in any building constructed in the 40s and 50s,” said Don Bremner, President of Restoration Environmental Contractors REC Demolition of Gormley.
Bremner has worked in the industry for over 35 years, establishing Abcott Construction Limited and also owning the Junior “A” Hockey club the Markham Waxers.
“There’s a historical building at the front, which will be separated from the remaining building, which will be demolished,” Bremner noted.
The entire project covers 97,000 square feet of land, maintaining the historical building in the front.
The land is being used by HUSAR disaster response unit to the conduct training exercise.
“We’re working with the military and the police. The special services guys need a place to practice, and no better place than a building that’s being torn down,” said Bremner.
The exercises will simulate a real-time disaster with actual emergency personnel on duty around the clock. It is the first tactical exercise of its size and kind in Ontario.
“It’s a community thing, and they’re always looking for properties,” he said.
The demolition of Centre Wellington District High School will occur directly after the OPP and Toronto Fire Services finish up the HUSAR training.
“It’s a win-win; they just come in. You hear a little bang and boom, and they practice.”
Approximately 20 workers ranging from painters to labourers to asbestos workers will be on the Fergus project.
“We’ll be on stand-by, just in case of emergencies, and if things get a little too wild,” said Bremner.
“The guys want to be on the ball and this is a really good case of where two teams are working together,” he added. “It’s a bit of time to plan something like this, but they’re working together in case, heaven forbid, a natural disaster or terrorist act occurs.”
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