Purpose

The purpose of the program is to provide pipeline safety information to Emergency Responders.

Scope

The program is directed toward local, state, or regional officials, agencies, and organizations with emergency response and/or public safety jurisdiction over areas involving pipelines. Emergency Officials will be identified though commercially available data sources, member information, and the web sign up database. The primary mailing list will be obtained from the National Public Safety Information Bureau. Background information about this list service can be found at: www.safetysource.com. A listing of the NPSIB department descriptions along with the corresponding SIC Code and SIC description is included below under Standard Industry Classifications. These agencies include:

• Fire departments
• Police/sheriff departments
• Local Emergency Planning Commissions (LEPC)
• County and State Emergency Management Agencies (EMA)
• Other emergency response organizations
• Other public safety organizations

Program Elements

The elements in the program include:

• A web based Emergency Contact Directory containing the names and emergency phone numbers for responders, pipeline companies, and other utilities (with print functionality available to members and emergency responders).
• A Response Capability Database linked to the Emergency Contact Directory for retention of emergency response capability information.
• The development and publication of Interoperable Response Procedures intended to serve as the basis for a common mutual response plan between pipeline companies and response agencies.
• Linkage to the Identified Site Registry which is a web based mapping application that indicates areas potentially impacted by a natural gas pipeline incident and that includes a mechanism for collection of site information from emergency responders.
• An annual communication from the Association containing the baseline messages identified below (direct mail to all and email/fax where available).

Message Content

The following information will be communicated to the Emergency Responders:

• Availability of the National Pipeline Mapping System and how to learn the location of pipelines in their area of jurisdiction.
• Names of pipeline operators and their emergency contact information
• Information about potential hazards associated with natural gas, hazardous liquids, and other materials transported by pipeline.
• Information about how to safely respond to a pipeline emergency and general Emergency Response Procedures.
• An overview of what operators do to prevent accidents and mitigate the consequences of accidents when they occur.
• How to contact pipeline operators to obtain additional information about specific pipelines, Integrity Management Programs to protect High Consequence Areas, emergency preparedness, or other public safety matters.

Program Evaluations

An evaluation of program effectiveness will be performed every three years. The initial baseline evaluation of effectiveness was performed in 2007. The next evaluation is scheduled to be performed in 2010.

Documentation

All program documentation will be available from the website, including: identity of participating members, Emergency Responders contacted, copies of communications, and any survey results or feedback received.

Dues

The base dues for participation in the program are $300 per member/county. This will be lowered in states where participation levels are sufficient to create cost sharing. In previous years, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota were states where participation levels warranted a reduction in dues. Final program dues will be established in early February when all participation levels are known. Members will be invoiced by mid February.

Sign up

Companies may sign up by sending an email to info@pipelineawareness.org indicating the states and counties they wish to register. The deadline for registering in the program is February 1.