HUGO, Minn. – Natural gas workers and first responders throughout the region will now have a chance to practice the ideal way to respond to natural gas emergencies.
On Wednesday, Xcel Energy unveiled its new $1.2 million natural gas training center in Hugo that comes complete with 13 buildings that resemble residences that are especially equipped to simulate dozens of actual gas leaks.
“We put gas piping underneath, and we’ve got 42 places where we can simulate leaks on the system,” said Kent Larson, Group President of Operations for Xcel Energy.
During a drill that accompanied the official unveiling, Xcel natural gas workers teamed up with local fire departments to demonstrate how they would practice the proper way to respond to emergencies. The drill involved every step of the emergency – from the initial 911 call, to the evacuation of residents, to fixing the simulated leak.
“It’s really great to have this training facility literally in the backyard of our station,” said David Jensen, Assistant Chief at the Hugo Fire Department.
Jensen added: “It gives us an opportunity to come down here and train with the individuals that are going to respond to these incidents right alongside of them.”
The company expects about 2,000 workers and first responders will receive training at the facility every year. And both first responders and the company itself hopes that training translates to greater safety within the community.
“There’s no question safety is our top priority. We focus on the public. We focus on our employees. We focus on the partnerships we have with fire departments and others. The whole goal is to operate a safe system,” Larson said.