b'IntroductionIntroductionP ipelines are the safest and most reliable way to transport naturalgas,crudeoil,liquidpetroleumandchemical products.Pipelinesareprimarilyunderground,which keeps them away from public contact and accidental dam-age.Pipelinesmovelargevolumesofproductsafelyand efficiently, helping to keep energy prices down.Tomeetthepipelineindustrysgoalofreliableincident-free operation, pipeline operators invest substantial human and financial resources to protect the people, property and environments near pipelines. Damage prevention measures include routine inspection and maintenance, corrosion pro-tection,continuousmonitoringandcontroltechnologies, publicawarenessprograms,integritymanagementand emergency response plans. While pipelines are generally the safest method of transporting hazardous chemicals, they are not failsafe. In the event of a pipeline incident, it is critical that you know howtorespondandarepreparedtoworktogetherwith the pipeline operator.Developing a mutual understanding with pipeline operators regarding cooperation and coordi-nation of response efforts will improve the effectiveness of the response.This guide contains a set of general interoperable emergency response pro- ceduresandisintendedtoprovidefirefighters,lawenforcementofficers, emergencymedicaltechniciansandallotheremergencyresponderswho may be the first to arrive at the scene with the basic information they need to safelyhandleapipelineincident.Itshouldnotbeconsideredasubstitute for emergency response training, knowledge or sound judgment. This guide contains information that will help you make decisions about how to best protect your emergency response team and the surrounding public during a pipeline incident. Please send us your suggestions for improving the content in the booklet.We are especially interested in any feedback you may have concerning the coor-dinated response actions identified in Response Step 7, Working Together with the Pipeline Operator.Let us know if you agree or disagree with these expectations and why.A feedback form is available in the Resources section of our website at: https://pipelineawareness.org/resources/ or you can just email pipeline.association@pipelineawareness.info.3 2023 by Pipeline Association for Public Awareness'