June 2013, Vol. 240, No. 6

Projects

Enbridge Offers Online Pipeline Emergency Training For First Responders

Enbridge Inc. and Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. have launched an online portal to offer free, customized pipeline emergency training to first responder organizations located along Enbridge’s and the Partnership’s more than 50,000 miles of onshore pipelines comprising several pipeline systems in the U.S. and Canada.

The program material is based on Pipeline Emergencies, an industry-leading pipeline emergency response training program developed by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM). The NASFM materials were adapted to provide information specific to pipelines operated by Enbridge and the Partnership.

“While our overarching goal continues to be zero incidents, Enbridge believes that, as prudent pipeline operators and responsible neighbors, we must take the extra step to reach out to emergency response organizations located near our North American pipelines to offer specific information about the products we transport and the most effective tactics for responding to a pipeline emergency,” said Steve Wuori, president, Enbridge Liquids Pipelines.

The online training program features 3-D, interactive graphics to help first responders better visualize response to pipeline incidents. Content includes the basics of natural gas and crude oil pipeline operations, how to safely handle products transported by pipelines, including those operated by Enbridge, pipeline emergency response tactics and pipeline emergency scenarios.

Since December more than 8,000 emergency response agencies in the U.S. and Canada have been provided with access to the online program. Enbridge will also roll out an in-person outreach component of the program targeting 911 dispatch centers covering the areas in which it operates and fire departments in close proximity to its pipelines and facilities. As of April 19, 438 emergency responders, Enbridge employees, and other interested parties registered to access the online training; 186 have completed the training.