Dakota Gas has a long-standing commitment to protect the safety of our employees and the public through risk management. We continuously review and improve our accident prevention and emergency response program and procedures.

• Employees are highly skilled and trained to safely design, construct, operate, and maintain the plant and perform their jobs.
• Fully trained response teams are thoroughly prepared to respond to facility accidents and other incidents.

Dakota Gas employees work hard to follow all applicable safety regulations and have established strict safety programs and procedures to make the plant as safe as possible. Coordinated emergency response drills are conducted to test response equipment, procedures, and capabilities.

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Dakota Gas plays an active role in its Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). A Dakota Gas employee serves as a member of the LEPC Board. A primary goal of the LEPC is to protect local citizens by developing and maintaining a coordinated emergency response plan and working with industry to minimize the impact of chemical hazards. Through the LEPC, citizens can obtain information about hazardous substances handled at local facilities and about emergency planning efforts designed to successfully cope with accidents if they occur.

• The LEPC maintains a coordinated emergency response plan for the community, detailing operational procedures to be followed in the event of an accident involving hazardous materials.
• The plan is available for public inspection.
• Dakota Gas must file detailed information with local, state, and federal agencies concerning hazardous materials located on site and emissions of hazardous materials.

3-step action plans to protect the public

If an incident occurs, our personnel and local officials are prepared to take immediate action protect the public.

Synfuels Plant personnel:

• Detects the incident: Dakota Gas has a monitoring system that would provide the opportunity for a rapid response to an incident.
• Respond to the emergency: In an emergency, our plant response plan immediately goes into effect. The incident command system is established and the plant emergency response team is mobilized. The team is properly trained and uses well-maintained equipment.
• Notify officials: While the emergency response team is taking action, the plant is notifying public officials of the emergency.

Local officials:

• Notify the public: As soon as officials are notified of an emergency, they determine whether and how to notify the public about the incident.
• Recommend protective action: After further assessing the emergency, public officials determine whether an incident warrants protective action, such as shelter-in-place or evacuation.
• Issue the all clear: Following an emergency, officials let the public know when the incident is over.

How will you be notified to Shelter-In-Place in Mercer County?

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

• Those residences and business within 4 1/2 miles of the Synfuels Plant will be called by telephone and informed of what emergency measures to take.
• For those residences and businesses beyond the 4 1/2 miles, turn on your radio.
• Announcements concerning the emergency, any evacuation information, procedures for shelter-in-place, and all-clear signals will be broadcast by regional and local radio. Monitor emergency alert system information on your local radio station.
• Regional radio stations may also carry news of any significant chemical emergency.

What to do if you are notified about a chemical emergency

• Stay calm
• Go inside
• Turn on the radio for more information
• Follow official directions (i.e., shelter-in-place or evacuate)

What NOT to do if you are notified

• Do not make phone calls - if too many people use the phones, the system could jam or fail
• Do not go to your child's school - the school's staff is trained and prepared to care for your children
• Do not go to the scene of the accident
• Chemical Risk Management
• Layers of Protection
• Seal house so contaminants cannot enter
• Close and lock windows and doors
• Turn off ventilation systems
• Close fireplace dampers
• Close off non-essential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms, and extra bedrooms
• Move into a smaller room such as a bedroom with attached bath
• Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels and duct tape
• Seal gaps around window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper, or aluminum wrap
• If you are in a car, close all windows and vents and set the car heater or A/C to OFF