What is PERI and why is it important?
The Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (PERI) was conceived as a way to strengthen relationships among the various stakeholders involved with pipeline safety and emergency response, as well as to spur the development and implementation of enhanced pipeline emergency response training. It’s a national effort supported by PHMSA – regulators of the pipeline industry.
PERI in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA PIPELINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE INITIATIVE
In 2015, Oklahoma Pipeline Operators and Emergency Responders recognized a problem in the effectiveness of pipeline safety training being provided and the message not being consistent across the state.
Oklahoma personnel formed a steering committee to improve our state’s efforts in the case of an unfortunate event of a pipeline incident. Oklahoma Pipeline Emergency Response Initiative (OKPERI) was formed with one goal in mind “Safety of Personnel and community alike”. The purpose OKPERI is to :
- Provide sustainable training for first responders
- place emphasis on pipeline emergency response training
- establish alternative pipeline emergency response training delivery methods (online and hands-on)
- enhance operator emergency responder outreach and liaison programs
- promote responder awareness of their role in reducing excavation damage incidents
In an effort to provide a better product to the emergency responder stakeholders, OPAL and OKPERI joined forces in the fall of 2019. The merger went into effect on January 1st, 2020. OKPERI, now PERI, is a sub-committee within OPAL with the same mission as before the merger: to provide sustainable training for first responders; place emphasis on pipeline emergency response training; establish alternative pipeline emergency response training delivery methods; enhance operator emergency responder outreach and liaison programs; and promote responder awareness of their role in reducing excavation damage incidents. With this merger brings new and exciting things to not only the emergency responders of Oklahoma but to the operators in Oklahoma as a whole.
Check out the current OSUFST Haz-Mat courses which include PERI. Interested in a course but don’t see one listed? No problem, just contact John Carpenter, OSUFST Haz-Mat Director, and he can help.
For more information or FAQ’s regarding PERI’s, please visit:
U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration