Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue

The key agency for emergency response for the City of Wilsonville is the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFR). TVFR provides fire protection and emergency medical services to approximately half million people. Its Hazmat Response Team is critical to addressing pipeline emergencies. Their coverage area includes: Beaverton, Durham, King City, Rivergrove, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, West Linn, and Wilsonville, and unincorporated portions of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington County.

With the exception of Kinder Morgan TVFR would likely be the critical first responder for any pipeline emergency. TVFR would need to be in a position to work effectively with Kinder Morgan during a pipeline incident. Citizens should immediately dial 911 during a pipeline emergency in order to trigger TVFR involvement.

TVFR was the most cooperative, informative, and candid institution (private or public) during the course of Shawn's investigation. In early 2015 Shawn was advised by its representative Deputy Chief Dustin Morrow that TVFR and their Hazmat team are well trained to address a pipeline disaster. Chief Morrow stressed that active and consistent communication with Kinder Morgan, including joint drills/ exercises with the pipeline owner are key to effective safety preparedness.

Chief Morrow identified TVFR's very effective working relationship with Northwest Natural Gas. Other than an occasional pamphlet TVFR had not had any active or effective communication with Kinder Morgan in over 15 years. From a variety of sources including PHMSA, Shawn has learned that Kinder Morgan has offered drills and education with first responders at their main facilities in Portland and Eugene. None of these exercises or drills have focused on an incident occuring within TVFR's coverage zone. TVFR recently advised that after Shawn's 2015 inquiries they did finally hear from Kinder Morgan. Whether this will result in effective communication and joint drills remains to be seen.