Odor of Gas in Sloan Elementary School
 
By Secretary Mike Cline
September 20, 2019
 

At ~1:00 PM, Westmoreland 911 dispatched Station 20 (Murrysville VFC) for an odor of natural gas at Sloan Elementary School. Station 20 responded with Truck 20 (2 firefighters including Captain 20), with Lieutenant 20 going to the scene, and an additional firefighter manning the station. Westmoreland 911 also dispatched Station 78 (Sardis VFC), Station 22 (Export VFC), Station 610 (Murrysville Medic One), Murrysville Police. Lieutenant 20 was first on scene and found evacuation in progress and determined that the odor was originating in the school kitchen area. Engine 78 was the first unit on scene, and their crew began to search the school cafeteria with gas meters. Truck 20 and Engine 22-1 arrived on scene, and Command 20 directed additional interior firefighter teams lead by Deputy Chief 78 to enter and search the structure. During this time evacuation was completed and all students were accounted for. The interior firefighter team found a gas issue near an oven in the kitchen area. Command 20 requested that Westmoreland 911 have People's Gas dispatch a crew to fully investigate the gas leak. The People's Gas Crew arrived, and the scene was turned over to them and the school maintenance staff to lead the full investigation and make note of needed repairs. The School District moved all the Sloan Elementary School Students to Franklin Regional High School to be sent home for the day. Command 20 returned all responding Fire/Rescue and EMS units to service and station.

 
Units: Truck 20, Rescue 20
 
Mutual Aid: Sardis VFC (Station 78 - Engine 78), Export VFC (Station 22 - Engine 22-1), Murrysville Medic One (Station 610 - Command 610-3, Medic 614, Medic 616, Support 610), Murrysville Police Department, People's Gas Company