Natural Gas Pipeline Damaged by Construction CrewClosePrint

This scenario is designed to help law enforcement personnel understand the initial response to a pipeline or natural gas release. Key areas include early recognition and identification of potential victims, and evacuation during a pipeline emergency.

Target Audience: Law Enforcement Police / Uniformed Personnel

Location: Suburban Community

Product: Flammable Gas

Pipeline: Distribution main line

Overall-Actions Stressed in Pipeline Emergency Response Guidelines (PERG)

• Assess the situation and gather information regarding the events
• Identify the problem and communicate with other agencies about the situation
• Initiate the initial safety procedures such as evacuation of the immediate at-risk area

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Isolate the area and deny entry
• Identify the problem
• Use the DOT ERG to determine the hazards, and if necessary:
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Issues
• Initial evacuation distance of 100m or 330 feet
• Placement of patrol in safest area -- uphill and upwind if possible
• Communicate the evacuation with police department dispatcher and first arriving fire department / or pipeline personnel
• Stabilization:
• Select Initial Isolation Zone based on DOT ERG guidance.
• Contact appropriate officials
• Product Control:
• Secure the immediate area

ICS Considerations:

• Officer in charge until arrival of officer’s immediate supervisor or until fire department assumes command
• Escalating event

Transmission Line Break with Major Public Safety IssuesClosePrint

This scenario is designed to introduce Fire Department personnel to response goals and initial procedures in a natural gas or pipeline release. Activities include identifying a pipeline marker, determining basic clues for recognizing a release. The scenario also demonstrates how fire personnel can use the DOT Emergency Response Guide Book to determine initial safety zones and potential defensive actions in an emergency.

Target Audience: Fire Service

Location: City or larger suburban community

Product: Flammable Gas

Pipeline: Distribution main line

Overall-Actions

• Recognize and interpret a pipeline marker and information on the marker
• Recognize/Verify the leak by identifying indications of a gas or pipeline emergency release
• Initiate the initial safety procedures
• Determine the distance of an effective evacuation based on the DOT Emergency Response Guide Book
• Using the marker, emergency plan, or other methods notify the gas utility

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Isolate the area and deny entry
• Using the DOT ERG to determine the hazards and risks if necessary:
• Wear recommended PPE
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Issues
• initially evacuation distance 100m or 330 feet
• Initiate defensive actions based on guidance from the DOT ERG, Pipeline control Center or PERG
• Stabilization:
• Evacuation of effective area
• Avoid ignition sources
• Product Control:
• Secure the immediate area
• Notify the gas utility as soon as possible

ICS Considerations:

• Follow Department procedures or protocols
• Notify Supervisor
• Call for help as soon as possible

Liquid Pipeline Release with Major Environmental and Public Safety ImpactClosePrint

This scenario places emphasis on the immediate value gained when emergency response personnel, the pipeline operator and the community have prepared in advance to respond to a pipeline emergency. It reviews items such as hazard analysis, risk assessment, Incident Command, NIMS, and other assets and resources necessary for a safe response to a pipeline emergency.

Target Audience: First Responders, Community Officials and Pipeline Officials

Location: City/Community near a creek that flows to a river

Product: Flammable petroleum products

Pipeline: Transmission line (unknown release within the pipeline right-of-way)

Container: Pipeline

Overall Goals

• Understand the need for an emergency response plan or a pipeline emergency response annex to the community emergency plan
• Identify two reasons to prepare for a pipeline emergency
• Be aware that a pipeline emergency response plan or annex is critical to success
• Create an effective local emergency response control and command of resources to protect the public
• Provide initial overview of the components of NIMS and ICS terminology, roles and responsibilities

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Secure the immediate area
• Isolate the area
• Placement of vehicles in a safe area
• If incident escalates, determine placement of the command post
• Use the DOT ERG to determine the hazards and risks
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Actions (i.e. initially evacuation distance)
• Discuss the evacuation with first arriving FD and / or pipelines responders
• Stabilization:
• Select Isolation Zone based on preliminary documents available
• Hazard & Risk Assessment Using DOT
• Contact appropriate officials:
• Pipeline
• Community
• “Follow the Community Emergency Response Plan”
• Product Control:
• Secure the immediate area and call pipeline operator from number on the pipeline marker or the number in the emergency response plan
• When and/or where possible and safe, consider eliminating ignition sources

ICS Considerations:

• Incident Command Established
• Establish and identify the Incident Commander
• Establish command staff as needed
• Call for additional help early on
• If additional help is needed consider staging
• Establish Public Information Office and Safety Office early on
• Strategic considerations should be public protection
• Identification of the problem
• Coordination is critical -- large events usually have an Emergency Operations Center
• All personnel should report any signs of the incident escalating

CloseGathering / Transmission Line FailurePrint

This scenario is designed to introduce Fire Department personnel to response goals and initial procedures in a natural gas pipeline release. Activities include identifying a pipeline marker and determining basic clues for recognizing a release. The scenario also demonstrates how fire personnel by using the DOT Emergency Response Guide Book can determine initial safety zones and potential defensive actions an emergency.

Target Audience: Fire Department

Location: Suburban Community

Product: Flammable Gas

Pipeline: Transmission line

Overall-Actions Stressed (P.E.R.G.)

• Isolate and deny Entry to the extent a first responder
• Recognize the nature of problem
• Identify the product and the operator
• Using the information available assess the situation and gather information regarding the events area at risk

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Isolate the area and deny entry
• Identify the problem
• Using the DOT ERG to determine the hazards if necessary:
• Assure appropriate PPE is used
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Issues
• initially evacuation distance 100m or 330 feet
• Using the information on the pipeline marker establish communication with the pipeline operations control
• Take additional safety precautions recommended by the pipeline operator call center or representative
• Stabilization:
• Evacuation of effective area
• Avoid ignition sources
• Product Control:
• Select Initial Isolation Zone based on DOT ERG Guidance
• Continue contacting appropriate agencies and operators
• Increase evacuation as needed

ICS Considerations:

• Mange the incident with initial ICS tools – Command Post, Staging, Safety
• Get pipeline Resources and support as soon as possible
• Call for help as soon as possible – You can always send them back

Close"Traffic Safety" Officer at a Construction SitePrint

This scenario is designed to aid security or law enforcement personnel to understand the response actions in a pipeline or natural gas release when they might be at a site or first on the scene in the early moments of the pipeline emergency. This scenario includes activities such as identifying a pipeline marker and recognizing indications of a release and using the DOT Emergency Response Guide Book or pipeline control center for guidance with evaluation and other initial response actions.

Target Audience: Police Officers and Security personnel

Location: Suburban Community

Product: Flammable Gas

Pipeline: Distribution main line

Overall-Actions

• Recognize a pipeline marker and information on the marker
• Recognize indications of a gas or pipeline emergency release
• Initiate the initial safety procedures or evacuation of the immediate area at risk
• Contact the pipeline operations center for additional information

Emergency Priority Actions

• Life:
• Using the DOT ERG to determine the hazards and risks if necessary:
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Issues
• initially evacuation distance 100m or 330 feet
• Placement of additional response vehicles in a safe location if possible uphill upwind
• Stabilization:
• Call for Help to Dispatcher
• Avoid ignition sources
• Product Control:
• Secure the immediate area

ICS Considerations:

• Follow organization procedures or protocols
• Notify Supervisor
• Call for help as soon as possible

CloseHighly Volatile Liquid Pipeline Release (LPG)Print

This scenario is designed to help emergency response personnel, the pipeline operator and the community understand the value of pre-planning its response to a pipeline emergency. It addresses emergency planning, pipeline locations, hazard assessment, Incident Command, and identification of potential hazards and risks in a pipeline emergency.

Target Audience: Police Officers Uniformed Personnel

Location: City Community Near railroad right of way

Product: Flammable Gas / LPG or Propane

Pipeline: Transmission Line within the right of way

Container: Pipeline

Overall-Actions Stressed (P.E.R.G.)

• Identify and Assess the situation
• Protect People
• Initiate the initial Incident Command System

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Identify the problem
• Isolate the area
• Deny entry
• Use the DOT ERG to determine the hazards and risks
• Initiate preliminary Public Protection Issues (i.e. initially evacuation distance)
• Placement of Vehicle is a safe area
• Discuss the evacuation with first arriving FD and / or pipelines
• Stabilization:
• Select Isolation Zone based on preliminary documents available
• Hazard & Risk Assessment Using DOT
• Contacting Appropriate Officials
• Pipeline officials
• Community
• “Follow the Community Emergency Response Plan”
• Product Control:
• Secure the immediate area
• Where possible and safe consider eliminating ignition sources

ICS Considerations:

• Incident Command Established
• Awareness that a problem exists
• Strategic considerations should be public protection
• Identification of the problem
• Call for additional help
• Isolate and deny entry
• Coordination with the first arriving fire service personnel
• PD in charge until arrival of officer’s immediate supervisor or FD
• Watch for any signs of the Incident Escalating

CloseGas and/or Pipeline Release for 911 OperatorsPrint

Public safety answering points (PSAPs) and 911 operators typically are the first point of contact the public has in the emergency response system. Therefore, how the PSAPS and 911 operators receive and handle the calls can play a significant role in bringing the emergency to a successful conclusion. The decisions, communications and even the initial directions from the 911 operators can save lives.

Target Audience: PSAPs and 911 Operators Safety

Location: Any Community

Product: Natural Gas and/or Petroleum Products

Pipeline: Gas or Liquid

Overall Goals

• Increase PSAP and 911 operators’ awareness s of the above pipeline systems that may exist in the communities they serve.
• PSAP and 911 operators are able to recognize conditions that indicate a pipeline emergency
• PSAP and 911 operators quickly recognize that a pipeline emergency exists and know how to notify proper authorities
• When unsafe conditions exist, PSAP and 911 operators initiate the community pipeline/natural gas response and provide, when possible, recognized pipeline safety protocols for the public to protect themselves.

Additional Relative Goal

• The PSAP and 911operators should be aware of and familiar with the Guidelines published by National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Pipeline Emergency Operations Standard/Model Recommendation Document 56-007, November 11, 2010

The focus of Scenario #7 is for the PSAP and 911 operators to recognize that the actions taken during the first few minutes significantly impact the effectiveness of the response. PSAP and 911 operators are frequently the beginning of the response. They are the first personnel to begin the overall support of goals in all emergency response; achieving these goals is critical to the public’s safety:

• Protect Life
• Stabilize the incident
• Minimize Damage

CloseGas Release in a Suburban BuildingPrint

A natural gas leak inside a building is one of the most common emergencies responders face. This scenario will discuss natural gas escaping inside a building, which can lead to an explosion often with catastrophic results. Most emergency response actions taken at the natural gas emergency are the responsibility of the fire department. Law enforcement personnel, however, are typically the first to arrive on the scene. This scenario will focus on what actions any first responder should consider when responding to a natural gas emergency.

Target Audience: First Responders – Fire and/or Law Enforcement officers

Location: Suburban Community

Product: Natural Gas

Pipeline: Local Distribution Company

Overall Goals

• Understand and be aware of the signs of a gas release
• What you see
• What you hear
• What you smell
• Recognize the danger of a gas release inside a building
• Safety Tip - Be aware that odor does or does not indicate flammability. Odorant is used as a safety tool to indicates the potential presence of a natural gas release
• Understand only direct reading monitoring with a calibrated combustible gas indicator used by local utility personnel or trained emergency responders can aid in determining the risk of potential explosion.
• “When in doubt, get them out!”

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• When occupants’ safety is in doubt, evacuate the building
• Isolate the building
• Secure the immediate area
• Consider adequate placement of emergency vehicles
• Is the current placement safe?
• Use the DOT ERG to determine the hazards and risks
• Discuss the evacuation with first arriving utility personnel
• Stabilization:
• As soon as possible notify the utilities (electric, etc.) to secure ignition sources
• Contact appropriate officials
• Natural gas officials
• Community
• Recognize natural gas can displace oxygen in confined areas
• Product Control:
• If safe to do so, secure the gas by using the building valve or the specific apartment customer valve.
• Know the difference between a main valve and a customer gas valve.
• Never operate main valves.

Other Considerations:

• Incident Command
• Establish and identify the Incident Commander
• Call for additional help early on
• Consider calling for a hazmat unit
• Natural gas is a Hazardous Material (ERG Guide No. 115)
• If additional help is needed consider staging
• Establish offices of Public Information office and Safety early on
• All personnel should report any signs of the incident escalating

CloseHazardous Liquid Release Near WaterwayPrint

Cleaning up a pipeline spill has become an important concern because of recent occurrences around the United States. This scenario will familiarize responders with the hazards, risks, resources and tools necessary for controlling a liquid release on a waterway.

Target Audience: Community Officials / Senior Emergency Response Personnel

Location: Suburban Community Near River, Lake or Coastline

Product: Flammable Liquids / Crude

Pipeline: Transmission or Storage Leak

Container: (Pipe/Pressure) Undetermined

Overall-Actions Stressed (P.E.R.G.)

• Assess the situation
• Protect People
• Initiate Incident Command System
• Discuss escalating to Incident Management

Emergency Priority Goals

• Life:
• Public Protection Issues
• Placement of Vehicle
• Evacuation
• Product Control and Mitigation
• Stabilization:
• Identification of the Release & Products Involved
• Select Isolation Zone
• Hazard & Risk Assessment Using DOT
• Contacting Appropriate Officials
• Product Control:
• Management of Assets and Resources

ICS Considerations:

• NIMS
• Command Post / EOC Established
• Assigning Sectors and Responsibilities
• Strategies and Tactics
• Call for additional help
• Public Protection evacuation
• Working with Multiple Agencies
• PD in charge until arrival of officer’s immediate supervisor or FD
• Watch for any signs of the Incident Escalating