SaskEnergy’s relationship with First Responders helps keep public safe

SaskEnergy employees, like First Responders, play a key role in keeping the public safe.

In fact, we often work side by side First Responders in cases of potential natural gas emergencies. That mutual support extends to how we train and prepare for emergencies as well.

“Building relationships, exchanging knowledge and training together ensures we can work together to safely manage emergencies, whether it’s a fire where a natural gas source is present, or an unplanned gas release,” says Peter MacLachlan – General Manager, of our Saskatoon Area Operations.

SaskEnergy offers natural gas emergency response training to local First Responder teams throughout the province.

At the training sessions, we will provide information on everything from using your senses to detect a natural gas release — listen for unusual hissing, smell fo natural gas odourant and look for discoloured plants or dead vegetation along the gas line right-of-way — and how to safely respond.

We also talk about what to do and actions to avoid in emergency situations involving natural gas.

“A lot of what we talk about, First Responders may already know or be somewhat familiar with, so these sessions are good reminders for them, and a good way to reinforce the importance of working in tandem with SaskEnergy during an emergency,” says Peter.

SaskEnergy also works directly with local First Responders when we conduct our mock emergency training exercises. For these exercises, we develop a simulated emergency scenario that our employees respond to in real-time.

During a mock emergency, our responding staff head out to the area where the emergency occurred to assess and manage the situation. This includes setting up an emergency planning zone, determining how to safely shut off the gas and limit impact to customers and planning necessary repairs.

The local fire department, RCMP or police detachment, the Rural Municipality and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency are all made aware of the exercise ahead of time. They are also given the opportunity to have personnel participate alongside SaskEnergy in real-time.

“Mock emergencies give our employees the chance to practice our emergency response but also work together with First Responders,” says Darren Janke, Director of Safety and Emergency Management.

To help supplement the training sessions and field exercises, SaskEnergy publishes an emergency response information booklet. Like the training videos, the booklets include information about SaskEnergy, TransGas and MIPL infrastructure, properties of natural gas and how to safely respond to emergencies involving natural gas. The booklet is provided to First Responders who participate in training sessions and mock emergencies or are on sight at actual emergencies.

“These booklets are designed to be quick reference guides that First Responders can readily have on hand during a natural gas emergency,” says Darren. “By working together as a team, SaskEnergy and First Responders can keep the people and communities of Saskatchewan safe during a natural gas release and minimize the impact to our service.”

If you would like SaskEnergy to provide a training session to your First Responders organization, you can contact Darren at @email.