best practices for gas leak/explosion response mayors’ council on pipeline safety conference...
TRANSCRIPT
Best Practices For Gas Leak/Explosion Response
Mayors’ Council on Pipeline Safety ConferenceThursday, May 14, 2015
2:10 PM
Sam HallProgram Manager, PHMSA/OPS
804/556-4678, [email protected]
The Challenge
• Pipelines are out of sight, out of mind• Public safety officials have many competing
concerns, limited resources• “Odor of gas” calls may be common, but
major pipeline incidents are relatively rare
PHMSA Regulations
• PHMSA regulations require pipeline operators to maintain liaison with emergency responders
• Public Awareness regulations and API RP 1162• affected public• local public officials• excavators• emergency officials
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Public Safety Officials’ Responsibilities
• Effective pipeline emergency response is a shared responsibility– State and local public safety officials have a
responsibility to engage, understand their role• Communication before an incident occurs is
the most important aspect of effective pipeline emergency response
• Communication on-scene is essential during an incident response (ICS is effective)
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
• Incorporating pipelines into the THIRA process can ensure adequate capability to respond to pipeline emergencieswww.fema.gov/threat-and-hazard-identification-and-risk-assessment
• PHMSA produced a primer for incorporating pipelines in hazard mitigation plans, published by FEMAwww.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/101688
Important Resources• The National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS)• Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)• Pipeline Emergencies training curriculum (
www.pipelineemergencies.com)• The Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance
(PIPA)• The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)• Georgia Pipeline Emergency Responders Initiative
(GPERI)• Call 811 before you dig!
PHMSA is Hiring!Careers in Pipeline Safety
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• PHMSA’s FY15 budget appropriated 100+ new positions.
• Typical jobs include: general engineers, inspectors, accident/incident investigators, and transportation specialists in our five regional offices across the country.
• Visit our website at: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/careers– Learn more about OPS– Find out how to apply– View current job openings– Sign up for job alerts
• Twitter: PHMSA_DOT
• YouTube: PHMSADOT
• LinkedIn: Pipeline-and-Hazardous-Materials-Safety-Administration