Students and staff at Okotoks Junior High School had a bit of a scare this morning. 

One of the school's carbon monoxide alarms activated around 8:00 a.m. triggering an emergency response from the Okotoks Fire Department and school maintenance staff. 

According to the school's Principal, Tracey McKinnon, the boiler system was backdrafting due to low pressure in the system as a result of extreme cold conditions. 

The building's ventilation system was shut down and further testing was conducted but found the risk was contained to the boiler room. 

According to a statement issued Tuesday, January 14 by the Foothills School Division, everything is safe now. 

"Maintenance crews have resolved the issue and ATCO has confirmed these efforts were successful.  We have been assured that there is no danger to students or staff." FSD adds "We take the safety of students and staff very seriously and are pleased to say our safety response plans were immediately and successfully launched and implemented. We involved emergency services and put our procedures in motion.  Out of an abundance of caution, students within proximity of the boiler room were relocated and accounted for in a timely manner."

The school remains open and it's business as usual for staff and students. 

You can find the entire release here. 

 

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