Prism Propane Emergency First Responders Safety Training to offer free live-fire suppression instruction on May 7
North Baltimore, OH – April 29, 2016 – On Saturday, May 7, Prism Propane Services of Ohio, LLC, will host a free Emergency First Responders Safety Training seminar at the North Baltimore office on 1399 Business Park Drive South. There will be classroom instruction in the morning and live-fire suppression demonstrations in the afternoon.
More than 50 firefighters from seven area departments are invited to attend and bring their turnout gear to participate in the controlled-burn activity. This propane safety seminar is part of Prism Propane’s efforts to raise awareness in the community about safe use of propane gas. Prism Propane is sponsoring the event and Ohio Propane Gas Association (OPGA) and the Propane Education & Research Council are funding a portion of the seminar cost. This training has been provided to groups all over the state of Ohio.
In an announcement today, Prism COO George Walton stated, “Prism Propane is pleased to host this important safety training. In the event of an emergency, such as a gas leak or a fire, we want to help our already well-informed first responders to have all the informational tools at their command to handle the situation appropriately.”
Bob Herron, a past president and current OPGA board of directors chairman and Propane Operations Manager of the Energy Cooperative in Newark Ohio, will present the all-day safety seminar. Herron also has served as secretary, treasurer and vice president of the OPGA board.
The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. with four hours of classroom education covering the basics of propane-related equipment. There will be hands-on demonstrations throughout the day and lunch will be provided. The afternoon session incorporates State Certified Fire Instructors. The outside training will utilize a cut-away 500-gallon propane tank – which is plumbed to simulate a ground-level gas leak from a relief valve. There also will be intensive fire suppression training as propane burns a little differently from gasoline – although both burn at equal flame temperatures – (3,560 degrees Fahrenheit); however, propane yields more energy per unit volume than natural gas does. The training could be done without having fire involved however, for training purposes they utilize fire as a safety measure to consume the propane.
Walton said he believes continuous safety education about this clean-burning, energy-efficient fuel is essential.
“Propane, although safe when contained, is to be respected just like any flammable gas,” he said.
The departments who have RSVP’d to date are: North Baltimore, Van Buren, Washington Township, Weston, Rising Sun, Arlington, and Allen Township. North Baltimore Fire Chief Ted Francisco also will be in attendance. If any firefighters would like to attend call Prism Operating Manager Kevin Reynolds at 419-257-5035.
In addition to offering propane gas for residential and commercial heating to more than 3,500 customers, Prism Propane offers autogas service to commercial businesses and school systems, as well as supplying commercial forklift cylinder fuel service.
Prism Propane Services of Ohio, LLC, was formed in 1998 as a for-profit company and affiliate of the Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative non-profit organization, to offer economically priced propane gas services to customers in Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Wyandot and Wood counties. For more information about Prism Propane, visit prismpropane.com, the Prism Facebook page or call 877-887-7476.
