Stakeholder Communications

PHMSA’s first priority is safety - and we appreciate the work that America's first responders and emergency officials do for safety.

We want to help provide you, the emergency responder, with the information that you need about pipelines and the materials they carry within your response area. We also want to help you protect yourself if you’re ever called to a pipeline emergency.

With those goals in mind, we have partnered with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) and others to develop and provide important information to you. This includes:

• Pipeline Emergencies offers a comprehensive, integrated emergency response training program designed to teach emergency responders and pipeline industry personnel to safely respond and effectively manage pipeline incidents.
• NASFM Emergency Response Bulletin: NASFM issues bulletins to provide information that will be of importance to fire marshals, potential incident commanders, fire service instructors, fire chiefs and other emergency response personnel.
• The Partnership for Excellence in Pipeline Safety is a first-of-its-kind program that develops and facilitates pipeline accident-response training and public education programs to help “spread the word” on pipeline safety across America. The Partnership set a goal of zero pipeline incidents.

We also want to provide you with information about liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is another important source of energy for America that has unique characteristics that must be considered for safety.

During an LNG community awareness workshop in February 2005, we learned that the fire services did not have an impartial, concise source of information about LNG. We partnered with NASFM, other Federal agencies, universities, and industry to explain LNG in a style readily understood by emergency responders. In June 2005, NASFM published An Overview of the LNG Industry for Fire Marshals and Emergency Responders. This important document provides a broad overview of LNG, its hazards and risks, and the issues that fire safety officials may face as LNG infrastructure expands to meet the country’s future energy needs.

Fire officials also wanted to understand the complex process of designing and siting an LNG import terminal. NASFM again called upon diverse stakeholders for input and in January 2007 published Fire Service Guidance for Participating in LNG Terminal Evaluation, Siting, and Operations. This document educates fire officials about the regulatory processes that ensure the safety and security of LNG terminals. Fire officials are encouraged to participate in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) cryogenic design conferences and the US Coast Guard waterway suitability assessments. These processes culminate in the facility Emergency Response Plan (ERP), which must be approved by FERC prior to construction of the terminal. Fire official participation in the development of the ERP ensures that local response agencies have the knowledge and resources necessary to protect their communities.

The highlights below provide additional information about pipeline safety. If you are seeking specific information and cannot readily find it here, please contact the PHMSA Community Assistance & Technical Services (CATS) Program Manager in your area for assistance.