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It's now been three months since a series of propane-fuelled blasts in Downsview lit up the sky during the wee hours of Aug. 10.

As memory of that episode begins to fade, putting into effect measures to prevent such a case from happening again in the future should be the priority.

Last Friday, the release of a provincial propane safety review, with 40 recommendations, was greeted with disappointment at City Hall. Both Mayor David Miller and local Councillor Maria Augimeri appeared unimpressed with the findings, stating the recommendations simply don't go far enough.

Indeed, for those looking for specific reference to the Downsview incident, they were sure to be disappointed. The report's authors took great pains to reiterate the mandate they had been given: explore propane safety province-wide "from an overall perspective." The responsibility for recommendations specific to the Aug. 10 blast in Downsview is that of other parties.

Fair enough, one supposes. A province-wide examination is a fine idea and shows a more thorough approach to a safety concern and eschews a knee-jerk reaction.

Surely, however, the very impetus for the review should be given a little more respect?

As a rule, the application of preventative measures is harder to understand than the application of reactionary ones. Constructive answers, however, are needed, specifically with reference to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, currently a self-regulated body responsible for the propane industry. The report does recommend a beefing-up of the TSSA's powers.

At issue, however, is not the power the TSSA should have - it's the accountability.

This is not to disparage the recommendations that surfaced last Friday. They generally appear to be of a sensible kind. Though by glancing at some of them, one is rightfully concerned as to why some of the recommendations weren't cemented in place as policy beforehand.

For example, in the event of a safety risk, the TSSA should have the authority to ensure "steps are taken to make the facility safe." Surely, is that not considered a normal standard safety procedure?

"Had this report been available at the time and acted upon it still would not have addressed the needs of Downsview residents," Augimeri said the day of the report's release.

It's a weird irony: since the blast, the community has been presented recommendations of further preventative measures, which may ultimately prove beneficial, but specific reaction and corrective measures to the events of Aug. 10 remain in limbo.

Needless to say, a more demonstrable and meaningful reaction - be it through revised policy or legislation - to show the concerns of a shaken community are to be taken seriously, is still missing.

An incident of this sort cannot happen again. The community is owed that reassurance.