Unitil's first responders have started training at Safety Town, a new facility in Kensington that simulates gas leaks to help utility gas employees enhance their skills.
Safety Town is a unique training facility with underground natural gas pipes creating a leak field for workers to practice detecting and responding to gas leaks.
The facility aims to test workers on procedures and best practices in handling gas leak scenarios, ensuring safety for themselves and the public.
Unitil's external affairs director, Alec O’Meara, views Safety Town as a valuable resource for training workers in leak detection to offer reliable service.
Training exercises at Safety Town include facing various gas leak variations to improve workers' abilities in identifying and reacting to different situations.
Approximately eight leak points in the facility can be activated for training on leak survey, investigation, and classification.
The planning and construction of Safety Town involved Unitil's gas workers, with Alan Browning supervising trench work, pipe installation, and initial training exercises.
Safety Town allows workers to practice troubleshooting challenging underground leaks and above-ground piping leaks in a controlled environment.
In addition to Safety Town, Unitil introduced a virtual reality training program to complement field training for gas employees.
The VR program immerses trainees in various scenarios like leak detection and pipeline patrolling using digital technology and VR goggles.
Workers can handle simulated calls and tasks in a virtual neighborhood or field setting to enhance their practical skills.
The hands-on training at Safety Town and the VR program offer Unitil gas employees opportunities to improve their expertise in real-world situations.
These training initiatives aim to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in providing gas services to customers and communities.
Unitil's focus on advanced training methods like Safety Town and virtual reality demonstrates their commitment to ensuring a skilled workforce for gas operations.
The integration of real-world simulations and digital technology equips gas workers with the necessary skills to address gas-related challenges effectively.
Overall, Unitil's Safety Town and VR training program are valuable tools for preparing gas workers to handle complex situations and maintain safety standards.