Keeping our communities safe takes teamwork.

That’s why UniSource works year-round with local first responders and other community partners through hands-on training and mock emergency drills. These exercises help participants strengthen relationships, share best practices, and prepare to respond safely to gas-related emergencies.

Earlier this year, our mock drills drew more than 40 people each to events held at Lake Havasu City Fire Department and near the Kingman Regional Medical Campus in Kingman.

Before the demonstrations, UniSource employees gave presentations on safe digging practices around gas lines. We also provided guidance on the types of gas pipes that participants may encounter and actions to take if a line is hit.

The group then moved into hands-on demonstrations, including a simulated hit line, to show how a gas leak behaves and the safety measures needed to respond effectively.

For Gas District Manager Shane Moline, the most valuable part of the event is the question-and-answer session at the end.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect and understand each other,” he said. “People come up and talk with us, and we learn a lot about their business and they learn about how we operate. This allows us to be more comfortable with each other during emergencies.”

In addition to mock drills, UniSource regularly hosts firefighters and other first responders at our Prescott training center. The facility includes modified storage sheds to represent homes, duplexes and commercial buildings on a mock roadway. It also includes underground gas and air lines for demonstrations, along with a regulator station.

UniSource invites representatives from agencies including Prescott Fire Department and Central Yavapai Fire District to train alongside our gas employees. During joint sessions, firefighters participate in simulated leak investigations in the sheds, giving them the opportunity to explore potential real-world scenarios.

Firefighters are often the first on the scene of gas-related emergencies, making this type of hands-on training especially valuable, said Teresa Inman, District Manager for UniSource Gas in Prescott.

“UniSource takes a strong stance on collaboration with our local fire departments on various aspects related to gas safety and emergency response. This partnership is crucial for ensuring public and property safety,” Inman said.