Pipeline response training hosted in Bowling Green prepares first responders

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Kentucky Public Service Commission brought some important training to Bowling Green Wednesday.

The commission investigates all natural gas pipeline breaks, and they want to make sure that the first responders, the utility operators and the contractors involved know how to handle these emergencies.

Mike Close, Bowling Green operations manager at Atmos Energy, says, “Response time is critical. Moments can save lives within our industry. So we want to make sure that all of our contractors who are out in the field doing the work, know exactly what, to do when a strike happens, so that can potentially save their lives.”

Mary Jo Spurlock, executive director at National Contractors Association of KY, says, “There’s always a potential for property damage, loss of life, all those things, although it rarely happens. They are devastating when they do take place. And that’s our goal is to protect people, protect the community, protect property and protect our employees.”

One hundred and seventy operators, contractors and first responders participated at the WKU Ag Expo Center, where a simulated natural gas leak was demonstrated.

This was a part of the public service commission’s broader effort to bring those groups together for training.