For the first time Ameren Missouri is reaching out to 9-1-1 call centers in Missouri's 25 counties to educate dispatchers about natural gas leaks.
Ameren gave its first presentation Wednesday morning to the dispatch unit in Callaway County where dispatchers were taught the proper procedure to take in case a call concerning a potential gas leak is received. Dennis Bennett who supervises damage prevention and public awareness for gas operations at Ameren discussed recognizing, assessing and addressing possible gas leaks to dispatchers.
Bennett told attendants that at a 0.9 percent gas level leak an odor is noticeable and at 5 percent the gas is flammable. However, it's import- ant to respond when levels reach 1.5 percent because that's when the environment becomes dangerous, he said. It's at that point, imperative for response teams to evacuate the commercial business or residence as levels could be higher closer to the source of the leak.
Ameren officials hope the train- ing will assist dispatchers in mak- ing the right call in regards to public safety by reminding community members to immediately exit the house if a gas leak is suspected. Bennett explained to the dispatch- ers that something as simple as ringing the doorbell to respond to a call or turning on a light switch can be the difference of life and death.
"The gas is looking for an ignition source," he said. "We don't know how much time we have and peoples' safety is our first priority."
Ameren has provided natural gas safety training to fire and public work departments for several years, according to a press release. To cut response time for Ameren to get involved during a possible leak, Ameren officials are using the training to help dispatchers relay safety measures to callers and also be the first to let Ameren know of a potential gas leak.
"We educate them on our procedures what we know is effective," Mike Holman, the director of gas operations at Ameren, said. "The biggest thing is to educate first responders to be aware of the situation and involved as early as possible. We want to make sure the public is safe and limit the damage to property so it's a collaborative effort of practices and procedures."
Since January, Ameren has responded to approximately 2,900 calls concerning potential gas leaks in Missouri, which include potential gas leaks in commercial buildings, private residences or leaks originating from the ground. However, calls to police and fire departments concerning gas leaks have been on the rise, Holman said.
Ameren is also expanding its natural gas safety training to contractors since the number one cause for outside leaks is a result of excavating, Holman said. The training covered recognizable characteristics of gas leaks, such as the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs caused by the additive mercaptan to make the smell of gas discernible.