Columbia Pipeline Group supports safety training for first responders

First responders from more than 30 Western Pennsylvania communities are better prepared to protect their residents after recently attending the 4^th annual Columbia Gas Safety School and receiving part of a US$ 30 000 donation for equipment from Columbia Pipeline Group and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.

Fire departments in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Lawrence, Venango, Clarion, Greene, Washington and Fayette Counties participated in this year’s safety school during the spring of 2014. To thank the attendees for their attendance and commitment to safety, the Columbia companies partnered to make a charitable contribution to each department. Checks were presented at stations on 20 - 21 October 2014.

"At Columbia Pipeline Group, we are committed to supporting the local fire departments within our communities," said Shawn Patterson, President, Operations and Project Delivery, Columbia Pipeline Group. "We are proud to partner with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania to provide the training and resources these brave men and women need to do their jobs."

The classroom and field training includes a discussion around natural gas facilities in the first responders' communities as well as a hands-on opportunity to extinguish natural gas fires. Participants learn to extinguish four types of natural gas incidents: a surface fire that simulated a fire caused by gas migrating to the surface; a stack fire that simulated a well fire; a flange fire that mimicked an above-ground regulator station/meter-setting fire; and a pit fire that mimicked a fire in an excavation pit.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/24102014/columbia-pipeline-group-supports-safety-training-for-first-responders-948/