I met Leo Sichewski shortly after joining ERAC in 2013. At the time, we were known as LPG Emergency Response Corp. and our relatively small organization consisted of a couple of staff members and a handful of contracted Flammable Liquids Technical Specialists. During my early days with ERAC, Leo took me under his wing and shared his vast emergency response knowledge and experience, coaching and mentoring me so I could better understand both our Plan members and the responder community.

Over his 24-year tenure with ERAC, Leo responded to multiple incidents in several capacities, including as a Flammable Liquids Technical Specialist, Remedial Measures Advisor, Home Base Coordinator and Technical Advisor. He brought wisdom and experience to our growing organization and had the ability to share information with others in a clear and understandable way.

Sadly, Leo passed away in July 2016. Shortly after his passing, I committed to his family that, in recognition of Leo’s valuable contribution to our organization, we would establish the ERAC Leo Sichewski Memorial Bursary fund. (See bursary details and criteria below.)

Leo made an impact on myself and so many people over the years. Our hope is that his legacy through the Leo Sichewski Memorial Bursary helps future safety, emergency management and response professionals advance in their careers and ultimately carry on his commitment to safety and excellence.

Spencer Buckland
President

ERAC is committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Recently, our Operations team gathered in Calgary, Alberta to take part in a training session on hydrogen (H2) fittings. Training included:

• Learning how to correctly select the fittings used in H2 systems
• Carrying out leak tests and installing high-pressure fittings in H2 transport systems
• And, learning how to identify, repair (if necessary) and safely purge H2 transport systems using high-pressure fittings and tubing

ERAC thanks Bryan Laker of Swagelok, for providing this specialized hydrogen training.

The movement of hydrogen is set to grow over time and ERAC will be well placed to provide its members with a one-stop shop for all their emergency preparedness and response services.

With over 33 years of service, Pat Mason is ERAC’s longest serving Remedial Measures Advisor (RMA).

Pat began his career as an ERAC RMA in early 1992, while he was employed as the Response Team Leader for the Spectra/Taylor liquified petroleum gas (LPG) Response Team. In 1996, he joined ERAC’s Operations Committee and was instrumental in establishing ERAC’s cross-country emergency response program.

During his tenure as an ERAC RMA, Pat has responded to over 100 incidents (so far). He was also a member of ERAC’s Operations Committee for over 20 years (1996 – 2018) and was recognized for his commitment to safety in 2018, when he received ERAC’s Excellence in Safety Award.

In 2018, Pat stepped away from his role with ERAC’s Operations Committee but remains an active ERAC RMA to this day.

ERAC thanks Pat for his many years of dedicated service to our organization and ongoing commitment to safety and excellence.

2025 Leo Sichewski Memorial Bursary Applications Now Open

A little over eight years ago, Leo Sichewski, a valued 24-year veteran of ERAC passed away. In memory of Leo, we created the ERAC Leo Sichewski Memorial Bursary fund that provides financial assistance to qualified recipients who are enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree program in safety, emergency management or first responder training. The bursary is open to Plan members, ERAC responders, and family members of each group. 

You can find more details about the bursary here.

Deadline for submissions is March 31, 2025.