PRESS RELEASE

CELL BRIDGE Completes
Emergency Response Exercise With Shell Canada

GeoAlert® Emergency Notification Technology Utilized at Waterton Complex

Calgary, Alberta, Canada December 4, 2009:  GeoAlert®, the integrated real-time emergency management solution from Cell Bridge, was successfully utilized in an emergency response communications exercise conducted by Shell Canada at their Waterton Gas Complex near Pincher Creek, Alberta.

The Alberta government, through the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) requires the Oil & Gas industry to be prepared for potential emergencies. The ERCB’s Directive 71 defines the requirements and framework for the Oil & Gas industry’s Emergency Response Plans (ERP’s) and requires industry to demonstrate their preparedness in regular emergency response exercises. During such exercises, the organization responds to a ‘mock incident’, simulating a real emergency by communicating with internal resources and multi-jurisdictional agencies, regulatory bodies and the public.

On December 2, 2009, Shell personnel conducted a regularly scheduled Emergency Response Exercise for Shell’s Waterton Gas Complex to test their Emergency Response Plan against the ERCB’s Directive 71 requirements.  Involved in the Shell Emergency Response Exercise were Shell plant personnel and numerous third party agencies, such as the Town of Pincher Creek, Regional Health, EMS, Disaster Services, air quality monitoring services, as well as the ERCB and Cell Bridge Communications.

This represents the first time the GeoAlert® system has been used by the Oil & Gas industry to deliver customized and/or pre-recorded voice messages and alerts to recipients based on their geographical location. GeoAlert® enabled the Local Emergency Operations Center personnel to manage the entire incident, including automated call-outs to the residents affected and automated management of responses from those residents.

“Having the opportunity to observe the entire emergency incident progress from identification of a possible gas release, to a full-blown evacuation of residents, and subsequent “All Clear” notification to the public, and the management of safety concerns for all members of the public was very beneficial” stated Dan Pacholik, VP of Operations for Cell Bridge Communications.  “It is one thing to internally believe you have built the right tools for the Oil & Gas industry to respond to an emergency situation, but it is an entirely different perspective to watch personnel placed into a crisis situation having to use those tools to protect both their personnel as well as members of the public”, added Pacholik.   

“Upon completion of the four hour Emergency Response Exercise, a de-briefing session was conducted to allow all participants and agencies that were either participating or observing to identify positive outcomes of the Exercise as well as constructive feedback.  It was very apparent that GeoAlert® was effectively utilized by Shell Canada personnel and well received by the third party agencies that participated in the Exercise”, stated Dan Pacholik.  “This represents a new benchmark for our emergency notification system that will allow our licensed users to achieve new standards in meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements set out in industry operating Directives” added Pacholik.

For more information about Cell Bridge Communications or GeoAlert®, or to schedule an interview, please call (403) 975-3267 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

About Cell Bridge Communications Corp.

Cell Bridge Communications Corp. is a fully integrated communications company focused on supporting the Oil and Gas Industry with the latest in emergency management technology. Through GeoAlert®, Cell Bridge works with government agencies, regulators and the telecom carriers to improve how citizens are notified of impending danger utilizing the most advanced secure notification and messaging systems in the industry.