ACTEWAGL have unveiled a new facility designed to train firefighters to deal effectively with gas emergencies in Hume.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and local energy company ActewAGL worked in partnership to build the special props at the ESA Training Centre.

“This wonderful new facility will help better prepare our firefighters and contractors to tackle both emergency and routine gas incidents,” ESA Commissioner Dominic Lane said.

“While major gas incidents are rare in the ACT, it is essential to be well prepared.

“In the last three years ACT Fire & Rescue has attended 350 gas leak incidents, 100 of those were third party hits on gas lines.

“The new training facility will enable the ESA and ActewAGL’s gas contractor ZNX to test their skills in a safe and controlled environment,” ActewAGL CEO Michael Costello said.

“The partnership also includes the addition of a high pressure gas reduction station at the ESA site.

“We take pride in the safety and reliability of our gas network. The station will guarantee the gas supply to the industrial area of Hume and the wider Tuggeranong region at times of high demand which will greatly benefit our business gas customers.

“We are very pleased to be taking a collaborative approach on gas safety and training with ACT Emergency Services Agency and thank them for sharing their facility with us.”

The centre has a variety of training scenarios which includes a practice meter installation and pipe failure simulations for steel and plastic pipes.

ActewAGL gas contractor Zinfra assisted in the construction of this gas training centre and the high pressure gas reduction station.

To report a gas incident always ring Emergency Triple Zero (000). For updates on gas incidents in the ACT visit the ESA website esa.act.gov.au