Pipelines carry hazardous liquid and natural gas over more than 2.2 million miles across the nation. To help ensure the safety of America's vast and growing pipeline infrastructure, the National Association of State Fire Marshals has partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration, which administers the nation's pipeline safety program through the Office of Pipeline Safety.

James A. Burns, president of the NASFM and New York State fire marshal, spoke with Fire Chief about the resulting Partnership for Excellence in Pipeline Safety.

Why did the NASFM choose to get involved on pipeline safety issues?

In 2002, the Office of Pipeline Safety asked NASFM to create and manage a program that would educate and involve the state and local fire service community in effective and efficient response to pipeline incidents. The goal is to eliminate deaths, injuries, and damage to property and the environment from pipeline incidents. While fire marshals are not pipeline experts, they are experts in public safety and risk management. NASFM saw this as an opportunity to advance the goal of public safety by helping to bridge the gaps that may exist between pipeline operators and the emergency responders that serve them.

What exactly does your project involve?

The initial focus of the project is the development of a national model firefighter training program for pipeline incident response. NASFM has subcontracted with Hildebrand and Noll Associates to create the training program, which will include a textbook, instructor's guide, Web site and companion video. The training materials draw from existing materials where appropriate and have been guided by a task force comprised of fire service, trainers and industry representatives. The program is scheduled to be complete by August, at which time pilot testing and train-the-trainer sessions will be conducted in various regions of the country. After pilot testing is complete, the package will be distributed to fire departments across the United States via the state training academies.

NASFM [also] was asked by DOT to assist pipeline operators in the identification of high-consequence areas. These are areas located along natural-gas transmission pipeline rights-of-way that would be particularly vulnerable in the event of an incident. Loosely defined, HCAS are outdoor areas where people regularly congregate, such as ball fields or campgrounds, or buildings that would be difficult to evacuate, such as a nursing homes or hospitals.

As a result of recent pipeline safety regulations, natural-gas transmission pipeline operators are required to identify and then take extra steps to ensure the safety of pipelines located in HCAS.… NASFM will help communicate these new requirements to the fire service and help prepare fire departments and the communities they serve to help identify possible HCAS in their communities.

The third initiative being undertaken through this project focuses on liquefied natural-gas safety. Again, with assistance from Hildebrand and Noll Associates, NASFM will help educate first responders on LNG safety issues and then prepare the fire service to take the lead in educating local, county, state officials and surrounding communities.

Would a fire department know if they had a pipeline within their area?

Pipeline operators are required to contact and maintain communication with emergency responders [along their pipeline routes].… The types of information that a fire department should request from their local pipeline operators include pipeline location, purpose, reliability, potential hazards and prevention measures, procedures for emergency preparedness communications, availability of the National Pipeline Mapping System, and how to get additional information. A fundamental part of NASFM's program will be to encourage the fire service to cooperate with local pipeline operators and maintain ongoing communications.

What are some of the hazards facing fire departments?

Many emergency incidents relating to pipelines are the result of unintentional intrusion and construction occurring in pipeline rights-of-way.… In addition, corrosive action of soil environments can threaten the integrity of pipelines. The result can be a sudden release of potentially explosive or combustible product over a wide area.

How can a fire chief get more information about pipeline safety?

To join NASFM's pipeline safety mailing list, receive updates on the training package and find out how to order the materials, send an e-mail with your name and contact information to pipelinesafety@firemarshals.org.