2025 NH3 Emergency Response Training

Building, Feeding, Fuelling, Growing and Helping Keep Our Communities Safe: It’s a Co-op Thing

Melfort, SK (for immediate release) — At Prairie North Co-op (PNC) we often say that we are proud to serve our members with products and services that help build, feed, fuel and grow the communities in which we live and do business. Now we can add “help keep our members and communities safe’ through our commitment to a strong safety culture to that list.

On July 16, the Naicam Agronomy Centre hosted a critical NH3 safety workshop lead by Federated Co-op Ltd (FCL) Health and Safety. Both PNC Ag team members and Naicam community first responders participated in this collaborative emergency response training workshop.

As the PNC Ag Division Manager, Jason Hutchison said, “I feel that this is something we need to share with the community, that we practice and follow these procedures for the safety of the members in our community, our team members, our customers, and our community members. We are proud to collaborate with emergency services with this type of training so that if an emergency situation arises, we are all reacting safely and promptly.”

In a busy season, PNC Ag delivery drivers move thousands of tons of product safely. To ensure correct emergency protocols are always practiced, a critical scenario introduced a blown hose on an NH3 tank in which all participants remained calm and followed safe procedures to rectify the issue safely and quickly. Attendees learned how to don specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for NH3 spills/accidents.

Every PNC NH3 delivery vehicle is equipped with appropriate PPE. This training refreshed team members on Prairie North Co-op’s Emergency Preparedness Plan. PNC delivery drivers are proficient in safe delivery but if the need arises, first responders need to know how to respond safely to this particular hazard. Naicam EMS and the volunteer fire department were immersed into the practice scenario, seeing firsthand how a situation like this may arise so they know how to react quickly and safely at any point in the emergency.

PNC remains compliant with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, regarding environmental emergency plans. The full-scale mock spill scenario practiced in this workshop is exercised every five years, followed by annual discussions by the PNC Ag team to ensure all procedures are updated as needed.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Terri Larsen, Marketing and Communications Manager
Prairie North Co-op
C: 306.527.4792 | E: Terri.larsen@prairienorth.crs
W: www.prairienorthco-op.crs

ABOUT PRAIRIE NORTH CO-OP

Prairie North Co-op operates out of 25 locations – from St. Brieux, Spalding and Naicam in the west; to Melfort and Brooksby in the north; and Archerwill and Kelvington in the east. We serve our members with products and services that help build, feed, fuel and grow the communities in which we live and do business. As a co-operative, we are a different kind of business; we are not only working for our communities, but we are also owned by our community. Co-ops embed sustainability in their business by planning and investing for the long term, with the community and environment in mind; they work to create jobs; and they partner with other organizations and local businesses. Prairie North Co-op profits do not leave the community, they go back into it – and back to our members. We take pride in our community involvement and our commitment to providing quality products and services.

Prairie North Co-op employs 320 and serves 13,426 members. We continue the tradition of giving back through financial support to several local organizations. In 2024, sponsorship and donations totalled $148,295 to over 200 different organizations in our trading area. Locally invested. Community-minded. Lifetime membership benefits. We are Co-op.