Working alongside the State Fire Academy, industry takes safety training to next level
Canonsburg, Pa. – As natural gas production from Pennsylvania’s portion of the Marcellus Shale – considered by experts to be the world’s second largest natural gas field once fully developed – continues to increase, helping to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth, the industry is working closely with the emergency response community to ensure environmental and worker safety, a top industry-wide priority.
Launched in May, a partnership with the industry and the State Fire Academy will expand training that responders receive, adding new components targeted specifically at shale gas production. Trainings will cover a host of issues, from what to expect upon arriving at a well site, to how best to coordinate with on-site industry personnel.
“Safety is our industry’s top value, and we recognize the opportunity that the environmentally-safe and effective development of the Marcellus Shale’s clean-burning natural gas represents,” said Kathryn Klaber, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC). “Preparing our first responders, and putting in place the best possible communication, training and educational tools is critical to ensuring that. And that’s exactly why we’re focused on proactively implementing commonsense practices that will benefit all Pennsylvanians.”
The industry’s engagement, education, preparation and outreach ranges from emergency responders to individual citizens and land owners, as well as with local and state government administrators and officials. The Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), as well as the Lycoming County Gas Exploration Task Force, continue to work in tandem with the MSC to jointly develop training curriculum for the State’s Emergency Response Communities.
These comprehensive training plans will help give Pennsylvania’s first-responders the tools needed to effectively respond to the broad range of unlikely scenarios associated with the production of these clean-burning resources. For more information on this program and future training opportunities, visit www.osfc.state.pa.us, or call 717.248.1115, to register.
