Don’t Make Entry
Every day across Alabama, fire departments enter environments that, at any moment and without warning, could cause severe injury—or even a line-of-duty death (LODD). Too often, this happens without full awareness of the risks and, in some cases, without proper PPE.
The Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (APERI) wants fire departments to understand a critical safety message from all Alabama gas operators:
Do not make entry into a structure with a gas leak—or a suspected gas leak—for the purpose of:
- Finding the source of the leak
- Ventilating the structure
- Attempting to repair the leak
Gas Company
ROLE: identification & repair
- Finding and repairing leaks, as well as ventilating structures, is the responsibility of the gas company, not the fire department.
- Even if a fire department has gas detection equipment, firefighters should not use it inside a structure for safety reasons.
- Gas company employees don’t make entry into a structure with gas present. They wait for it to self-ventilate.
Fire Department
ROLE: incident mitigation and scene safety
- Establish a perimeter using the recommendations in the Emergency Response Guide (ERG).
- Ensure the structure is evacuated.
- With full PPE, shut off the gas at the meter using the outside quarter-turn valve. Do not enter the structure.
- Confirm the gas operator has been contacted, has all necessary information, and is en route.
- Remain on scene to assist and provide vital information to the gas company.
Following these guidelines ensures better risk assessment, protects your crews, and increases overall scene safety for both firefighters and the public.
🔗 Alabama Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative
A Private-Public Partnership to Improve Pipeline Safety in the State of Alabama
For more information about APERI or to request FREE pipeline training, contact us at: aperi.training@alabamafirecollege.org or (205)427-2028.