Home Emergency Response

The purpose

The purpose of this webpage is to improve public safety and protection of the environment. Our goal is to provide emergency responders organizations with enough information and familiarity such that the initial phases of an emergency response would be smoother.

Signs of a pipeline product release
  • Sight - A pool of liquid on the ground near a pipeline, a rainbow sheen on water, a dense white cloud or fog over a pipeline, or discolored vegetation.
  • Sound - An unusual noise coming from the pipeline, like a hissing or roaring sound.
  • Smell - An unusual chemical odor, such as gas or oil.
What to do
  • Call McChord Pipeline Co. (253) 593-6085 and give the location of the problem and call 911.
  • Remain upwind
  • Keep ignition sources (vehicles) away
  • Police should prevent the public from entering the area.
  • Warn others to stay away from the area.
What not to do
  • Do not enter the area.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish a fully involved fire on the pipeline right-of-way
  • Do not operate pipeline valves.
McChord Pipeline Co. will
  • Shut down the pipeline
  • Dispatch personnel to investigate.
  • Close valves to isolate the problem.
  • Identify hazardous areas.
  • Protect the environment.
  • Evacuate and repair the damaged line.
  • Jet fuel is the only product transported in this pipeline. Jet fuel is a petroleum distillate with a flash point greater than 100o F and is a combustible fluid. It is sometimes called turbine fuel. Jet fuel's physical properties are similar to that of kerosene. An SDS is provided at the bottom of this page.
  • McChord Pipeline Co. continues to enhance the emergency response program. Highlights include annual updates of the Facility Oil Spill Response Plan to ensure the capability to respond should an oil spill occur involving the pipeline.
  • McChord Pipeline Co. advises neighbors along the pipeline route (660 feet each side) of the pipeline's presence and provides them with an emergency phone number should they observe any emergency situation, digging or other unusual activity around the pipeline.
  • To help avoid third party impact damage, we periodically remind excavation contractors, utilities, government agencies, and property owners to request utility location markings prior to any digging more than one foot deep.
  • Personnel from McChord Pipeline Co. are available at all times to respond to a pipeline emergency.
  • Additional training information for emergency pipeline responders can be obtained at the National Association State Fire Marshals website https://www.firemarshals.org/Pipeline-Emergencies
    OR AT
    https://www.pipelineawareness.org/stakeholder-resources/emergency-response-training-resources/
  • McChord Pipeline Co. would be happy to provide on-site training at no cost to you.
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Emergency Information

In case of an emergency call

253-593-6085 or 911 7 days a week

If you suspect a leak

  • LEAVE  the area immediately and warn others in immediate area. Call 911. Do not use cell phone near the leak. Call well away from the area (cell phones can ignite airborne gases).
  • DO NOT  turn electrical switches on or off (these can also ignite airborne gases).
  • DO NOT  strike a match or create a flame.
  • DO NOT  drive into or make contact with liquid from leak or vapor cloud.

Call if you observe any emergency situation, digging or other unusual activity around the pipeline. 253-593-6085