EQT donates gas meters to Charleroi firefighters

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

After two separate gas leaks in Charleroi burned the fire department’s gas meters, EQT stepped in to help.

Last October, firefighters, street workers and the Department of Environmental Protection worked around the clock to control — and determine the cause of — a gas leak that caused gasoline to seep into the ground and into sewer lines near the Gulf Station.

After a few days of digging, officials from the DEP with help from first responders determined an overflow of gasoline at the Gulf Station seeped into the ground and flowed into the sewer lines.  The problem is currently being investigated by the DEP.

A meter used to detect gases and other airborne chemicals was broken during the course of the incident, leaving the department with only one gas meter.

The second meter was broken about a month ago when firefighters were called to Second Street and Shady Avenue for a natural gas leak so strong it burned the sensors of the meter. 

The meters cost more than $800 each and in a year where monetary donations have been far and few between, the department reached out for help. 

“We ran it past EQT to see if there was anything they could do to help us and the next thing we know they are at the department with two brand new meters,” Whiten said.

The MSA 4X gas meters retail for up to $1,200 and detect O2, LEL, CO and H2S. 

The new meters also have the capability of notifying first responders of real-time incident awareness.

“To know how high risk a substance is can really help from a safety standpoint,” Whiten said. “It will tell you what to expect, if there is a high or low risk for an explosion.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.