Contractor at Tompkins Elementary Twice Strikes Gas Line

http://ossining.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/contractor-at-tompkins-elementary-twice-strikes-gas-line

Posted by Krista Madsen (Editor),  August 19, 2013

For the second time in just over a week, the Croton Fire Department responded to a gas leak at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School on Gerstein Street, evacuating nearby homes after a gas main was again struck by a contractor.

At 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, fire responders responded to a call for a break, which Chief John Munson established at the scene was between the street main and the curb valve shutoff to the elementary school. It's "a high-pressure main that feeds the school," officials said.

Police and fire volunteers worked to evacuate nearby homes, and officials contacted Con Edison to shut the gas off. By 2:19 p.m., the situation was considered under control, with roads reopened and people allowed to return to their homes on the block.

At 2:30 p.m. on August 9, eight days prior, the Croton FD and police responded to a main line break at the school after a contractor doing work here struck the line. Multiple homes were evacuated until the gas levels were deemed safe.

Safe Schools. Pipeline Preparedness.

Approximately one in every 20 schools is located within a half-mile of a transmission pipeline or above ground pipeline facility.

The Pipeline Association for Public Awareness helps schools improve safety planning and readiness through sponsorship of the School Pipeline Safety Partnership. http://www.pipelineawareness.org/schools/

Learn more:

• Visit the School Pipeline Safety Partnership Web site for school safety resources and to learn more about the program.
• Schools participating in the Partnership’s program can now view school-specific information by accessing their dashboard page.  Find your school’s page.
• Download school program brochure

Lessons Learned: Lafayette Indiana Natural Gas Explosion (video)

http://www.pipelineawareness.org/featured-video-lafayette-case-study

On November 27, 2002 the Lafayette Fire Department responded to a "routine" gas leak.  Dispatch reported that a construction crew struck a natural gas line while installing a traffic signal light.  At least four separate explosions destroyed four homes that day.  Responders from the Lafayette Fire Department share their experience and key takeaways in the video below including information about how to plan for the unexpected, anticipating migrating gas, proper gear, clear communication and the importance of ICS and advance partnerships with operators.