Mock experiences provide real training
A new $500,000 training facility in Chartiers Township will prepare first responders in the tri-state area for emergencies at natural gas well sites and production facilities.
The 1-acre plot on Western Avenue with mock industry infrastructure is the most complete training facility of its kind, according to Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay.
“This is the only site like it in the state. There’s a site near Meadville and one near Williamsport (with similar training equipment), but not one with the scope and size as this one. There’s nothing like it outside of Texas,” Solobay said.
The expectation for the industry-specific site at Washington County Fire Academy is to host at least one monthly training session with regional professionals and emergency departments starting in October. Crews from Greene County, West Virginia and Ohio came out Saturday to get a firsthand look at the training.
To demonstrate, Washington County HAZMAT crews hosed a prop metallic containment unit with foam and water as propane was pumped into it to sustain a controlled fire.
“We can light up any of the props,” said fire academy President Mike McBride, “but the real aim through that training is to recreate any situation that could happen on a well pad.”
“But the ultimate goal is to give our crews a real, practical and technical knowledge of what industry works with on a site. Because it comes down to knowing what you can handle, and knowing when it’s time to call in the industry professionals who specialize in well site emergencies,” McBride said. “So the aim is to know how to recognize (a situation like that), and suppress and contain until the pros can set up.”
Washington County public safety director Jeff Yates applauded the versatility of the mock structures to also allow rescue operations to be replicated.
“There have been situations with workers stuck on or around a condensate tank, so we can execute those types of training, as well,” Yates said.
The facility is the result of nearly two years of collaborations with industry companies like Range Resources, Rice Energy, Consol Energy, EQT, American Well Service and others, according to McBride.
“Not including the manpower, industry stepped up and paid for nearly everything,” Solobay said.