Pa. Fire Academy to Host First Responder Training for Natural Gas Vehicles

March 08--SOMERSET -- With a natural gas fueling station underway in Somerset Township and more natural gas vehicles on the road, local emergency responders are gathering for a first-of-its-kind training session.

The Somerset County Department of Emergency Services is planning a pilot offering of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academies Alternative Energy Divisions new course: "First Responder Safety Training for Natural Gas Vehicles and CNG Refueling Stations."

The idea is to familiarize responders with the new fuel types so they can make emergencies involving them safer -- for firefighters, EMTs and paramedics and police, as well as people involved in a crash or spill, according to Patrick Pauly, a division emergency response training program administrator with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

"These fuels have different characteristics, both liquified natural gas and compressed natural gas," he said.

"They're under pressure -- gas in your tank is not necessarily under pressure -- and the physical and chemical properties are different."

The number of natural gas vehicles is growing, with approximately 50 U.S. manufacturers producing close to 100 models of engines for use in light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, according to Reading-headquartered UGI Utilities Inc.

There are now at least 150,000 natural-gas vehicles operating in the U.S., the company says.

Pauly said that's cause for preparation.

"With the increased number of vehicles on the road fueled by alternative fuels, awareness will be a big part of it," he said. "There are different features on these vehicles -- added features -- additional equipment."

Class participants are to review equipment and best practices for responding to crashes or spills.

They also are to tour the compressed natural gas refueling station and watch a demonstration and overview of a commercial compressed natural gas vehicle, Joel Landis, training officer with the county emergency services department, said.

"These are all great economic improvements and, with that, we want to educate our first responders not only in emergency response to a incident involving CNG, but how the actual technology/energy is used to power these vehicles," Landis said.

"We want to be ahead of the game and not behind. Learning about it after the incident is not the time to know."

The course is planned for March 19 at the Somerset County Region 13 / Hazmat Building at the Somerset County Airport.

The class is to consist of first responders from the multi-county area and industry experts.

Landis said he appreciates that "O" Ring CNG Fuel Systems and J&J Truck Bodies, which is working on a project to convert trucks to run on compressed natural gas, are allowing the tour and demonstration.

Somerset County Economic Development Council Executive Director Gary DuFour said construction is moving forward on a facility for "O" Ring CNG Fuel Systems at the Laurel Highlands Business Park in Somerset Township. Behind that lot, a site for truck parts manufacturing is in design phases, DuFour said. Those related businesses mark the first to move into the 99-acre park.

Pre-registration for the training is required.

Information is available by emailing landisj@co.somerset.pa.us or calling 445-1515.

The program is funded through Act 13 funds, impact fees gathered from natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania, Pauly said.

"We want to make the responders safer and make it safer for people involved," he said.

Kecia Bal is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter at @KeciaBKay

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