Print
Comment
Rate
Natural gas emergency response protocol
 |
| City Utilities Supervisor John Bowen makes his presentation regarding procedures and chain of command during a natural gas emergency. (Carol Broeder/ARN) |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
"Protect life first, then property."
With those words, city utilities supervisor John Bowen made the annual presentation to the Willcox City Council regarding procedures and chain of command during a natural gas emergency.
The city is required to hold a liaison meeting once a year "to discuss capabilities and procedures concerning natural gas pipelines emergencies," said Dave Bonner, the city's director of public services and works.
Perhaps some of the most important information to come out of the recent presentation was how to recognize a natural gas leak and what to do.
Natural gas is odorless, so the city adds Mercaptan, giving it a 'rotten egg' odor, explained Bowen, who made the PowerPoint presentation to the council.
If you smell natural gas or suspect a natural gas leak:
Immediately leave the building, making all inhabitants also leave. Do not turn anything off or on, including light switches, televisions, etc. Leave everything as is.
Contact the city from a remote location, such as a neighbor's house, by dialing 911 or the Police Department at 384-4673, City Hall at 384-4271 (during regular business hours), or Public Works at 384-6447 (regular business hours).
The city will dispatch a utility technician to investigate the leak. Please meet the utility technician outside, in front of the building.
Do not leave the doors or windows open to vent the odor.
You will be notified when it is safe for you to return.
"If any leaks are discovered, the technician will notify you of the location," Bowen said.
If the odor is outside the structure, contact the city at the numbers listed above.
"Keep everyone away from the suspected leak area until a service man arrives," said Bowen, adding, "The utility technician will locate the potential leak and will notify you of the leak location (if applicable).
He also talked about the importance of calling Arizona Blue Stake before digging to prevent utility damage.
Call 1-800-STAKE-IT (or 1-800-782-5348) two business days before digging. It is a free service.
The color code for Blue Stake is:
Red - electric power distributions and transmission lines.
Yellow - gas and oil product distribution and transportation; dangerous materials.
Orange - telephone and telegraph system; cable television
The letter "F" in orange - fiber optics communication lines
Blue - water system; slurry pipelines
Green - sanitary sewer system
Purple - treated reclaimed water
"Blue Stake markings are valid for 15 business days," Bowen said.
"If digging within two feet of marked lines, dig in a careful and prudent manner (hand tools such as a shovel) to prevent utility damage."
Along with Bonner and Bowen, key personnel are City Manager Pat McCourt; Chief of Police Jake Weaver; Assistant Fire Chief Patti Ackerson-Rodriguez; Utility Worker II Joe Ayala; and Utilities Administrative Assistant Linda Stoddard, he said.
Bowen said that Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations require establishing and maintaining liaison with appropriate fire, police, and other public officials to:
Learn the responsibilities and resources of each government organization that may respond to a natural gas pipeline emergency;
Acquaint the officials with the operator's ability in responding to a gas pipeline emergency;
Identify the types of gas pipeline emergencies of which the operator notifies the officials; and
Plan how the operator and officials can engage in mutual assistance to minimize hazards to life and property.
Examples of natural gas emergencies are outside damage (vehicular or construction/excavation); main or service line rupture; natural disaster; and vandalism, he said.
Other types of emergencies include odor complaint; carbon monoxide; high or low gas usage; and high or low gas pressure.
As to main or line damage procedure, Bowen said, "If a gas main, either steel or polyethylene is hit or nicked, please contact the city for inspection to prevent a potentially dangerous incident from happening."
"If the integrity of the main is compromised, the city will dispatch a crew to repair the main, thus reducing the potential of damage to the system while protecting life and property," he said.
The emergency chain of command is first, the utility worker responding to the call; utility supervisor or designee; and director of public services and works, said Bowen, adding that the utility crewman responding can relinquish command upon the arrival of the supervisors.
"In the event of a fire, the Fire Department will assume charge," he added.
"The city's utility crew will remain on site until the situation is made safe," said Bowen, adding, "Utility service will then be restored to all affected customers."
Local agency assistance includes the Willcox City Fire Department; Willcox Police Department; Streets Division; and Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division.
"In case of a severe incident, City Hall and Library personnel will assist with answering telephones, media, etc.," Bowen said.
Outside agency assistance in a natural gas emergency include:
Gas technicians, equipment, and materials from Southwest Gas, and the Cities of Benson and Safford.
Traffic control and evacuations from Cochise County Sheriff's Department; Highway Patrol (Arizona Department of Public Safety); and U.S. Border Patrol, who will also help with translations.
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will provide equipment and traffic control.
Healthcare Innovations and Cochise County Health Department will provide medical assistance.
Willcox Rural Fire Department will provide fire control.
"The City of Wilcox's main priority is the safety of the citizens, and providing safe natural gas to the public," Bowen said.
With those words, city utilities supervisor John Bowen made the annual presentation to the Willcox City Council regarding procedures and chain of command during a natural gas emergency.
The city is required to hold a liaison meeting once a year "to discuss capabilities and procedures concerning natural gas pipelines emergencies," said Dave Bonner, the city's director of public services and works.
Perhaps some of the most important information to come out of the recent presentation was how to recognize a natural gas leak and what to do.
Natural gas is odorless, so the city adds Mercaptan, giving it a 'rotten egg' odor, explained Bowen, who made the PowerPoint presentation to the council.
If you smell natural gas or suspect a natural gas leak:
"If any leaks are discovered, the technician will notify you of the location," Bowen said.
If the odor is outside the structure, contact the city at the numbers listed above.
"Keep everyone away from the suspected leak area until a service man arrives," said Bowen, adding, "The utility technician will locate the potential leak and will notify you of the leak location (if applicable).
He also talked about the importance of calling Arizona Blue Stake before digging to prevent utility damage.
Call 1-800-STAKE-IT (or 1-800-782-5348) two business days before digging. It is a free service.
The color code for Blue Stake is:
"Blue Stake markings are valid for 15 business days," Bowen said.
"If digging within two feet of marked lines, dig in a careful and prudent manner (hand tools such as a shovel) to prevent utility damage."
Along with Bonner and Bowen, key personnel are City Manager Pat McCourt; Chief of Police Jake Weaver; Assistant Fire Chief Patti Ackerson-Rodriguez; Utility Worker II Joe Ayala; and Utilities Administrative Assistant Linda Stoddard, he said.
Bowen said that Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations require establishing and maintaining liaison with appropriate fire, police, and other public officials to:
Examples of natural gas emergencies are outside damage (vehicular or construction/excavation); main or service line rupture; natural disaster; and vandalism, he said.
Other types of emergencies include odor complaint; carbon monoxide; high or low gas usage; and high or low gas pressure.
As to main or line damage procedure, Bowen said, "If a gas main, either steel or polyethylene is hit or nicked, please contact the city for inspection to prevent a potentially dangerous incident from happening."
"If the integrity of the main is compromised, the city will dispatch a crew to repair the main, thus reducing the potential of damage to the system while protecting life and property," he said.
The emergency chain of command is first, the utility worker responding to the call; utility supervisor or designee; and director of public services and works, said Bowen, adding that the utility crewman responding can relinquish command upon the arrival of the supervisors.
"In the event of a fire, the Fire Department will assume charge," he added.
"The city's utility crew will remain on site until the situation is made safe," said Bowen, adding, "Utility service will then be restored to all affected customers."
Local agency assistance includes the Willcox City Fire Department; Willcox Police Department; Streets Division; and Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division.
"In case of a severe incident, City Hall and Library personnel will assist with answering telephones, media, etc.," Bowen said.
Outside agency assistance in a natural gas emergency include:
"The City of Wilcox's main priority is the safety of the citizens, and providing safe natural gas to the public," Bowen said.
 |
 |
|
| Good news: SEABHS working with schools | Cochise County supervisors support power line |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of willcoxrangenews.com.
