Mock Accident Tests Drilling Safety Preparedness
Washington PA Observer Reporter
26 October 2010
By Christie Campbell, Staff writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
About 150 first responders took part in Saturday's early morning safety
drill at a natural gas drilling site in North Franklin Township.
The drill, which involved three separate scenarios, was the first of
its kind in Washington County. It involved removal of injured workers
and a condensate spill at a site near Trinity Middle School.
Mike Mackin, communications manager for Range Resources, called the
drill extremely successful. He said having firefighters and emergency
crews respond for a mock accident at a well pad gives them greater
comfort in their response if a problem does occur.
The Franklin Lakeview Estates site is not scheduled to begin drilling
until early 2011.
The 911 call went out at 6:30 a.m. to North Franklin Volunteer Fire
Company. Also responding were emergency responders within North
Franklin's mutual aid agreement: Firefighters from South Franklin,
Canton, Morris and South Strabane townships, Washington and Claysville,
as well as police, emergency services and two medical helicopter
services.
The training was used to uncover any gaps in emergency preparedness.
Range Resources also has offered to meet with individual fire companies
for training purposes.