National Grid Recognizes Local First Responders for Safety

Cazenovia PD Is First in New York State to Complete Online Safety Training

SYRACUSE, NY.— National Grid today recognized the Cazenovia Police Department as the first police department in New York state to fully complete an online program to train first responders in natural gas emergencies.  All 16 members of the Cazenovia police department received certification from the company’s free, web-based First Responder Utility Safety program.

“Safety is our number one priority,” said Susan Fleck, National Grid vice president of Pipeline Safety & Compliance. “Every year National Grid offers training materials to thousands of first responders across our service area and we partner with them in drills to test emergency response and coordinate plans. This state-of-the-art e-learning tool is an opportunity to train and prepare every law enforcement officer across our service area, enhancing our ongoing efforts to ensure their safety and the safety of our customers.”

The program (http://firstresponder.ngridsafety.com/) includes a series of interactive modules that offer emergency personnel information on how to safely identify and respond to incidents that involve natural gas pipelines and other natural gas facilities. The modules provide an overview of the natural gas system, including the properties of natural gas, protocols for responding to natural gas leaks and fires, carbon monoxide safety and more.  The company also has modules to help emergencies crews be safe when working around electric and liquid natural gas facilities.

Chiefs from numerous local fire departments and local training academies assisted National Grid in creating the training. This includes a 12-member advisory panel of emergency responders from the three states — Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island — served by National Grid.

“The Cazenovia Police Department is pleased to take advantage of National Grid’s online training courses,” said Cazenovia Chief of Police Michael Hayes.  “Having these free courses online and available for all first responders is a terrific way for us to get the necessary training to stay safe and to help the public during emergencies.”

National Grid Recognizes Local First Responders for Safety

The program received a “Best in Class” interactive media award from the Interactive Media Council in 2014, and also won the Northeast Gas Association’s Safety Award in 2015.

With the month of April being designated as National Dig Safely Month, National Grid urges the public to call Dig Safely New York, Inc., (by dialing 811) in order to prevent serious personal injury, property damage and service interruptions caused by accidentally digging into electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer or cable facilities.

A quick phone call to 811 several days before digging connects callers to an operator at a local One Call Center who will provide information on when participating utilities must clearly mark their underground equipment. The call is simple and the service is free of charge.