Freedom Township holds safety event
Freedom Township resident Chuck Goodwin views pipe line safety exhibit at event. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
submitted by Carol Westfall
On Saturday September 19, supervisor Larry Lindemann and the Freedom Township board hosted a Safety Event at the town hall that featured a group of public safety experts, including the Manchester Fire Department, Michigan Public Service Commission, MISS DIG, and Washtenaw County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Health Department, and Water Resource Office. Numerous representatives from area gas and pipeline companies and a gravel pit company also spoke to dozens of residents and had exhibits with additional information.
Township Clerk Valisa Bristle moderated the Safety Event and welcomed public officials in attendance, including Washtenaw County Commissioner Shannon Beeman District 3, State Senator Sue Shink 14th District, Michigan Representative Carrie Rheingans 47th District, and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, 6th District.
Commissioner Beeman highlighted successful efforts to achieve high-speed internet for Western Washtenaw County and how important it is for all residents to have internet services and be able to access timely information during an emergency.听 State Senator Shink noted that she is aware of safety and environmental concerns in Freedom Township and is willing to do whatever she can to support the township safety efforts. Representative Rheingans highlighted legislative success in getting funding for geological mapping in Michigan and continue efforts to secure environmental protections.听 She encouraged residents to speak up in support of increased funding for EGLE and DNR, agencies responsible for enforcing those protections.
Rep. Dingell discussed her support for environmental and safety protections in western Washtenaw County and the importance of coordination among local, county, state, and federal officials. She emphasized the importance of industry following regulations and government enforcing them in order to protect the safety and rural character of Freedom Township.
The event included presentations by Michigan Public Service Commissioner David Chislea, Washtenaw County Emergency Management and Public Service Director Ben Pinette, County Health Department Environmental Health Administrator Jaclyn Bates, Manchester Fire Department Chief Mike Kouba, and Craig D鈥橝gostini and Emma Taylor from MISS DIG 811.
There are more one million calls each year to MISS DIG. Representatives reminded attendees of the importance of calling 811 anytime there digging or excavating on your property. It not only a resident responsibility, it the law! There are now many underground electric, gas, and internet lines that need to be marked before any digging starts.
Ben Pinette from Emergency Management and Homeland Security emphasized that when thinking about emergencies, residents should 鈥渉ave a plan.鈥 Have water, food, pet food, and supplies for 72 hours because if there a severe emergency it could take 72 hours for emergency help to reach you. He also suggested having a NOAA Weather Radio which sets off an alarm in the home whenever severe weather is nearby. If other systems are down, the NOAA Radio becomes an essential warning system in the home. He recommended residents be connected to the county EVERBRIDGE Emergency Notification System to receive alerts to your phone, text messages, and email. If you have already had EVERBRIDGE for a while, he recommended re-registering for the upgraded system.
Chief Kouba explained that the Manchester Fire Department is made up of 20 volunteer members and is usually first on the scene for any emergency in the area. They are very familiar with Freedom Township and train with Consumers every year. Of the 650-700 calls per year, about 80% are EMS related calls.
Representatives from Consumers Energy Stephanie Watson, Joseph Wolf, and Stephanie Blatt, covered safety and emergency training and procedures at Consumers. They suggested that similar to having smoke detectors, residents should have natural gas monitors in their homes. Energy Transfer (ET Rover) staff Troy Clayton and Trever Bogedain discussed the operations through their 42-inch major pipeline and pipeline monitoring, safety training, and emergency procedures. Ben Baxter from Wolverine Pipeline noted that satellite monitoring may soon replace drone monitoring of pipelines. He emphasized the importance of residents speaking up, being 鈥渙ur eyes in the field.鈥 If residents see anything unusual, like someone taking photos or walking near the facility, call the pipeline company and report it.
The pipeline representatives stressed company focus on employee training, response drills, 24/7 pipeline monitoring systems, the use of drones and airplanes, and the importance of 鈥淚f you see something or smell something, say something.鈥 No matter how incidental, err on the side of calling the pipeline company or 911.
Tom Green from American Aggregates/E.W. Levy discussed safety training and operations of the gravel pit and trucking operations along Pleasant Lake and Schneider Roads. He assured residents the gravel pit is committed to operating a safe operation, undergoes routine inspections, has no stormwater discharge off their site, and rigorously monitors the safety of its truck operators.
Finally, Valisa Bristle reminded attendees that the Washtenaw County Conservation District and students from Eastern Michigan University (EMU) will be testing well water samples on Saturday, October 3 from 9am to 3pm at Room 2304, 705 N. Zeeb Rd. 听Thanks to the Freedom Township Board for organizing this highly informative event on behalf of township residents. Attendees were recipients of a wide range of exhibits, safety, and emergency presentations. Information from the Safety Event will soon be available on the Freedom Township website, freedomtownshipmi.org.
State Rep. Carrier Rheingans, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingle and County Commissioner Shannon Beeman at the Freedom Township safety event on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Craig D鈥橝gostini and Emma Taylor MISS DIG811. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Manchester Fire Chief Mike Kouba talks at Safety Event. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Safety Event exhibits and tables. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell speaking at the Freedom Township Safety Event. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Valisa Bristle Freedom Township Clerk discusses well testing. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Jaclyn Bates Washtenaw County Health Department covers septic and well issues. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Ben Pinette Washtenaw County Emergency Management covering safety planning and preparedness. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
State Senator Sue Shink and Representative Carrie Rheingans present at at the Safety Event. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
Slade Pike and Frank Oldofsky Panhandle discuss air inspections of pipelines. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.
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