A Private-Public Partnership to Improve Pipeline Safety in the State of Alabama
Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (APERI)
Major Pipeline Emergencies are High Risk/Low Frequency. However, there have been several large events in our state over the last few years. All of us, including the Operator and Emergency Responder, need to be prepared.
Incidents are often worsened by Emergency Responder involvement instead of being neutralized. Contributing factors to this include a lack of training, a lack of initial education, a lack of experience, and a rise in false alarm calls.
Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 345, Chelsea, AL 35043.
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Why hasn't current outreach been effective?
- The industry has been using an Outside-In versus an Inside-Out approach.
- Responders have not been part of the solution.
- Responders do not see the need to “want” the training.
- A boss can make people work and get a job done. A leader gets people to “want” to get the job done.
- We want to be leaders in the training, awareness, and safety of Firefighters.
- We need an approach that encourages responders to come to us, where they are asking for the training, instead of being pushed into it or told they must (especially from an outside entity.)
Where are we now?
- APERI began moving forward in 2019
- A new course has been built with updated content
- An APERI Board has been established, made up of Operators and Emergency Responders
- Instructors throughout the state are currently being trained on course delivery
Program Structure
- TRAINING PLAN:
- Years 1-2: Focus on reaching out to Firefighters. After Year 2, expand to LEO, EMS, and Telecommunicators.
- Always have multiple trained instructors ready to teach in each region of the Fire College regional system.
- Target high-hazard areas and large groups: LEPCs and CRR / Training Officer Groups. Reaching these larger groups first will help the program grow organically. Many of the people in these groups also have influence in decision-making procedures at departments for training assignments.
- MAKEUP:
- Program Manager, Responder Outreach, Board of made up of Operators from different responsibilities and two Fire College members
- SHARED RESPONSIBILITY:
- Alabama Fire College, First Responders, and Pipeline Operators
Why does it work?
- FOR RESPONDERS:
- Training built by responders, for responders; responders have influence over process and content
- FOR OPERATORS:
- Record-keeping
- Inside-out marketing
- Meets liaison requirement
- More responder involvement
- To meet the requirement for the training classes, the operator must be present and participate
- EXTRA BENEFITS:
- Extra Support from the Fire College with a dedicated AFC contact
- Responders becoming active in City Planning, Permitting, and Zoning
- Preventing the incident that would otherwise need response
Board Members
Board Chair
Don Williamson
Don WilliamsonDon was born and raised in Mississippi and moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1989. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the...
Don was born and raised in Mississippi and moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1989. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi, an Associate degree in Fire Science from Shelton State Community College and Paramedic education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. Don retired in August 2021 after 41 years in the fire service with a combination of 13 years of volunteer service and 28 years of paid service. He has worked for the City of Birmingham, City of Vestavia Hills and City of Chelsea fire departments in Alabama as a firefighter paramedic on engine, ladder, EMS transport and heavy rescue companies. Currently he is an Instructor, Program Manager and Board Chair for the Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (APERI). He is also an adjunct instructor for the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission for the Fire Officer Series and the Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Program. He continues to be involved in his community as Line of Duty Death Chaplain with Chelsea Fire & Rescue Department and local fire Public Education. Don has been married to his wife Melissa for almost 34 years and has three girls. Morgan, his youngest, is in the mission field with an international mission organization, Kathryn is a nurse at a local hospital in an ICU burn unit and Shelby, his oldest, is studying to be a private pilot with her husband. Don enjoys hunting, camping, hiking and long-distance cycling touring.
Board Co-Chair
Anathea Dortch
Anathea DortchAnathea was born in Denver, Colorado. She spent most of her childhood in Kansas and lived in four other states before moving to Georgia in 2004. She c...
Anathea was born in Denver, Colorado. She spent most of her childhood in Kansas and lived in four other states before moving to Georgia in 2004. She currently lives in Calhoun, Georgia. In 2009, after years working in finance, Anathea changed focus and became a customer service representative for Dalton Utilities, the local municipal utility company. In 2013, she was offered the opportunity to take on the role of Natural Gas Regulatory Compliance Coordinator. In this role, she singlehandedly coordinated all regulatory compliance requirements for the natural gas distribution system which included 8,500 services spanning three counties. She thrived in the new role and approached her responsibilities with excitement and passion. She was promoted 3 years later to Electric Service Regulatory Supervisor which expanded her responsibilities to include electric transmission regulatory compliance and supervising GIS for the natural gas and electric distribution systems. In 2017, Anathea was offered a position with Southern Company Services to coordinate the public awareness and emergency response programs for Southern Company Pipelines. In her current role, she is building programs to enhance engagement in the communities around the pipelines she supports. Anathea began working with Georgia Pipeline Emergency Responder Initiative (GPERI) in 2018. She has served as the Chair of the Bylaws Subcommittee and is the current Chair of the Database Subcommittee. In 2020, she became the Co-Chair of the Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (APERI). She also served as the Co-Chair for the Tennessee Pipeline Emergency Responder Initiative (TN PERI) from 2021-2023. Anathea’s husband, Adam Dortch, is a Lieutenant for Gordon County Fire Department and has a photography business. Together they have three children. Amberly, the oldest, is a training manager for Buc-ees. She and her husband live in Calhoun. Addison lives in the Atlanta area and is a nurse care partner working in Labor and Delivery as she studies to become a registered nurse. Alex, the youngest and only son, is in the 5th grade.
Distribution Operators Member
Heath Reed
Heath ReedHeath Reed is a professional engineer and utility executive with over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and public service. He earned his Ba...
Heath Reed is a professional engineer and utility executive with over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and public service. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 1999 and spent 17 years in consulting, working across municipal, county, and utility system projects. For the past decade, he has served as General Manager of the Northwest Alabama Gas District, where he has led significant growth and acquisitions across a nine-county region. Heath is a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He lives in Fayette County, Alabama, with his wife of 20 years, Becky. Together, they have two sons, Skyler and Liam, and a daughter-in-law, Maci Reed.
Treasurer
Lenora Stroupe
Lenora StroupeLenora currently works for Spire Natural Gas as their Operational and Financial Analyst for Alabama Field Operations. In this role, she is responsibl...
Lenora currently works for Spire Natural Gas as their Operational and Financial Analyst for Alabama Field Operations. In this role, she is responsible for the annual budget and monthly financial reporting. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance and Economics from Mississippi State University. Lenora has worked in finance for various manufacturing and service companies for over 10 years. In her spare time, she enjoys both taking and teaching fitness classes. She is married to Reaves and they have two children.
Board Member
Eric O'Neal
Eric O'NealBorn and raised in Illinois, Eric moved to Alabama in 1990 to attend the University of Alabama studying Mathematics so he would no longer have to shov...
Born and raised in Illinois, Eric moved to Alabama in 1990 to attend the University of Alabama studying Mathematics so he would no longer have to shovel snow. Leaving the University in 1994, Eric joined Tuscaloosa Fire/Rescue on September 11, 1995 attending recruit school in the spring of 1996. He is currently a Captain with TFR and is a part of the regional hazmat response AMAS team. Eric was heavily influenced in his career by his time spent as a work study employee for the Chemistry stockroom at UA, where his interest in hazmat came from. Sharing the knowledge he’s gained, he has been teaching the hazmat curriculum at the Alabama fire college since 2000 and operates as a Subject Matter Expert involved in developing curriculum, testing and delivery of Hazmat classes and was awarded 2023 instructor of the year from AFC. Eric also played drums in the marching band in high school and in 2001, started the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums playing numerous events. When he’s not working or teaching, he loves spending time with his wife Melissa and is an avid collector of all things Superman.
Board Member
Ricky King
Ricky KingRicky currently works for Spire Natural Gas as their Public Safety Specialist for Alabama, Mississippi, and Wyoming. In this role, he is responsible f...
Ricky currently works for Spire Natural Gas as their Public Safety Specialist for Alabama, Mississippi, and Wyoming. In this role, he is responsible for the annual training for emergency responders on how to respond to natural gas emergency incidents. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety and Health Administration from Athens State University. Ricky is a retired Captain from Pelham Fire Department. Following in his father’s footsteps he began his fire service career in 1985 as a junior volunteer firefighter. He served in the US Air Force as a Fire Protection Specialist for 12 years, 4 years in the USAF Reserves as an Emergency Manager, and is currently serving in the Chaplain Corps with the Alabama Air National Guard. He has 7 years experience as a police officer. In his tenure with Pelham Fire Department, he served as the department’s Training and Safety Officer, Fire Investigator, and Fire Inspector. While in the Operations division, Captain King served on the department's Special Operations Unit as a high angle, confined space, and dive rescue technician. He has also served in post-secondary education roles with the Alabama Fire College as a subject matter expert and Certification/Training Specialist in the fields of Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, Plans Examiner, and Public Information Officer. He has also served part-time as Fire Chief for the City of Chelsea and Town of Westover. You can contact Ricky at rking@alabamafirecollege.org or (205)966-3477.
Secretary/Board Member
Kevin Mazingo
Kevin MazingoKevin, originally from Mobile, Alabama, now resides in Jemison, Alabama. He began his career in the Natural Gas Industry in 1988 with Transcontinental...
Kevin, originally from Mobile, Alabama, now resides in Jemison, Alabama. He began his career in the Natural Gas Industry in 1988 with Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, where he held various roles such as Pipeline and Compressor Station Construction, Project Commissioning, Facility Automation, and Pipeline Operations. With over 36 years of experience, Kevin is now a Senior Operations Manager for Williams Gas Pipelines, overseeing operations in Alabama and Western Georgia. Kevin is actively involved in industry organizations, serving on the Board of Directors and as Secretary for the Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (APERI) program, and on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the Alabama Natural Gas Association. Kevin has been married to his wife Cindy for 34 years, and they have two children. Their son, Brody, is a student at the University of Alabama, majoring in Political Science and Economics, with plans to attend Law School. Their daughter, Tayler, graduated from UAB in 2018 with a BS in Nursing and in 2022 with a Master’s in Nursing, specializing in psychiatric/mental health, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She currently works in private practice in Birmingham, Alabama.
Board Member
Caroll Pellegrin
Caroll PellegrinCaroll Pellegrin is the Transportation Regulatory Compliance Manager for Hunt Refining Company, and is involved in transportation regulatory complianc...
Caroll Pellegrin is the Transportation Regulatory Compliance Manager for Hunt Refining Company, and is involved in transportation regulatory compliance matters at several Hunt affiliates in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. Caroll has been with Hunt since February 1983, and has performed various duties with Hunt for more than 40 years. In 1991, while working full-time for Hunt, Caroll earned a BS in Petroleum Engineering Technology and an AS in Petroleum Safety Technology from Nicholls State University. Upon completion of his degrees, he was transferred into the regulatory compliance field. Initially, Caroll’s duties covered the entire range of regulatory compliance associated with hazardous liquids, including all modes of transportation - pipeline, trucking, water, and rail. In addition, OSHA compliance and environmental regulations were included in his tasks, and still are to an extent. In recent years, Caroll has assisted Hunt in the security compliance field. Caroll has represented Hunt within APERI since its inception, and currently serves as a member of APERI’s Board of Directors. Caroll was born and raised in Chauvin, Louisiana, and has lived in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Caroll and his wife Connie have a combined 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. They make their home in Tomball, TX.
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