Enbridge Offers Online Pipeline Emergency Training for 911 Dispatch Centers
March 10, 2014
CALGARY, ALBERTA and HOUSTON, TEXAS--(Marketwired - March 10, 2014) - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) (Enbridge), Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:EEP) (Enbridge Partners) and Midcoast Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:MEP) (Midcoast Partners) today announced the successful launch of an online pipeline emergency training program for 911 center personnel serving areas along Enbridge's onshore pipeline systems throughout the United States and Canada, including the Vector Pipeline system operated by Enbridge.
The training was developed in partnership with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and includes material from a NENA standard and Pipeline Emergencies, an industry-leading pipeline emergency response training program developed by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM).
"911 call takers and dispatchers have an important role in keeping the community safe during an emergency," said Cynthia Hansen, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Safety & Operational Reliability for Enbridge. "We are committed to providing them, and emergency responders of all disciplines, with the training and information they need to initiate a safe and effective response to a pipeline incident. The new Dispatch Module of our Enbridge and Vector Pipeline Emergency Responder Education Program will provide emergency responders in the U.S. and Canada with valuable training where and when they need it and at no cost."
The one-hour training program features 3-D, interactive graphics to help call takers and dispatchers better visualize how to initiate a response to pipeline incidents. The program covers the basics of crude oil and natural gas gathering and transmission pipeline operations. It also includes real-life scenarios that guide dispatchers on how to recognize the warning signs of a potential pipeline emergency, locate contact information for pipeline operators, and relay information to the public and emergency responders.
"NENA is excited to assist Enbridge in the development of the 911 and dispatcher training program for North America's first responders," said Ty Wooten, NENA Education and Operations Director. "This program will provide 911 call takers and public safety dispatchers with the training they need to expedite response and provide information to people reporting pipeline emergencies."
The 911 Dispatch Module is part of the Enbridge and Vector Pipeline Emergency Responder Education Program (EREP), an online portal launched in the U.S. in December 2012 and Canada in April 2013. EREP provides an overview of crude oil and natural gas operations, the Incident Command System and how Enbridge will communicate and work with emergency responders during a pipeline emergency, and practical scenarios to allow emergency responders to visualize an actual response. Since its launch, more than 2,000 emergency responders, Enbridge employees, and other interested parties have registered for the program; more than 1,000 have completed the program.
Information on accessing the training program can be obtained by sending an email to ERinfo@enbridge.com. More information about Enbridge's outreach to emergency responders in communities along our pipeline system in the U.S. and Canada can be found at www.enbridge.com/ERinfo.
About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian Company, is a North American leader in delivering energy and has been included on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World ranking for the past six years. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in 1,800 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind and solar energy and geothermal. Enbridge employs more than 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2013. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com. None of the information contained in, or connected to, Enbridge's website is incorporated in or otherwise part of this news release.
About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States. Its principal crude oil system is the largest pipeline transporter of growing oil production from western Canada and the North Dakota Bakken formation. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 17 percent of total U.S. oil imports. Enbridge Partners' natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast areas, deliver approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. Enbridge Partners is recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America.
About Midcoast Energy Partners, L.P.
Midcoast Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:MEP), is a limited partnership formed by Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P ("Enbridge Partners") to serve as Enbridge Partners' primary vehicle for owning and growing its natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) midstream business in the United States. Our assets consist of a 39 percent controlling interest in Midcoast Operating, L.P., a Texas limited partnership that owns a network of natural gas and NGL gathering and transportation systems, natural gas processing and treating facilities and NGL fractionation facilities primarily located in Texas and Oklahoma. Midcoast Operating also owns and operates natural gas, condensate and NGL logistics and marketing assets that primarily support its gathering, processing and transportation business. Through our ownership of Midcoast Operating's general partner, we control, manage and operate these systems.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:EEP), owns 100 percent of Midcoast Holdings, LLC, the general partner of Midcoast Partners, and holds an approximate 54 percent interest in Midcoast Partners. Enbridge Partners owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and, through Midcoast Partners, natural gas transportation systems in the United States. Its principal crude oil system is the largest pipeline transporter of growing oil production from western Canada and the North Dakota Bakken formation. Enbridge Partners is recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America.
About NENA: The 911 Association
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) serves its members and the greater public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 911 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. The association works with public policy leaders; emergency services and telecommunications industry partners; like-minded public safety associations; and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives to improve 911; to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 911 system; and to establish industry leading standards, training, and certifications. Find out more at www.nena.org.
For more information please contact:
Larry Springer, APR
Enbridge Inc. (Canada)
403-508-6563 or 888-992-0997
National Emergency Number Association (NENA