Utility offering free virtual training for first responders on dealing with natural gas incidents

Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders can learn how to properly respond to incidents involving natural gas through a free virtual training program being offered by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.

The utility also is offering a $1,000 grant or in-kind donation to a local fire department that logs the most course completions between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 in each of its four coverage territories.

“If there is a natural gas emergency, firefighters are often the first responders on the scene,” said CJ Anstead, Columbia Gas’ vice president of gas operations. “Our First Responder Natural Gas Safety Training Program gives them valuable skills to help safely manage these situations.”

The online course conducted by the Northeast Gas Association is a self-directed training program that was developed in partnership with local fire chiefs and training professionals.

The course focuses on how to identify and respond to incidents involving natural gas pipelines and other natural gas facilities.

Participating in the program can be counted toward the hours of training required by most fire departments.

Registration for the program is being handled online.It requires the creation of a user ID and password to access the training modules.

Columbia Gas has operated a training facility in Beaver County since 2016, but classes there have been temporarily suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. No date has been set on when the facility will resume operations.

The utility is headquartered in Canonsburg, Washington County, and serves more than 440,000 customers.

It is the natural gas provider for much of Western Pennsylvania.