”Well Site Safety And Security In Pennsylvania;  Part I”

By: Robert A. Young

This is part one of a two part series dealing with and ensuring oil and gas well site safety and security in the “Keystone State”.   Part two is entitled:  “ Some More Suggestions For Safety And Security Operations At Oil And Gas Well Sites In Pennsylvania “ , will appear on this blog shortly.  So, be sure to look for part two sometime next week or so.

When the world famous writer Mark Twain, who’s birth name was really Samuel Langhorne Clemens, wrote the epic “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” in the 19^thcentury, he took on a pen-name derived from his experiences as a steam boat captain years prior on the Mississippi. 

Actually, however, the creative backdrop of this early classic novel has an interesting local connection.  Mr. Twain and his family kept a summer home on the rural outskirts of Elmira, New York; “Quarry Farm”, which is located in the southern tier region, just north of the upper reaches of Susquehanna river and Bradford County, Pennsylvania.  The farm is now a haven for writers working in the spirit of the original master.

Well, (as of this writing), I don’t see the need to dream up an alter persona,( yet), in order to deliver a few observations and suggestions about the need for upgrades in oil and gas well site safety and security in this area.  Because, what we’re dealing with here, is far from fantasy and more along the lines of fact rather than fiction.

 None-the-less, I’ll leave it up to you, the reader, to access this piece and it’s over all credibility, contrary to the likes of Mark Twain, who blamed all the intricacies of his social commentary on his created child character;  Huck, and incidentally,  the author never really had the moxie to independently sign off on his work by breaking down and truthfully telling his readers, his real name.   In fact, he proceeded to conveniently leave the weight of any likely backlash on Huck, who Twain had actually narrate his own exploits in the book.   Now, let’s get to the point…

On 12-02-11 the Daily Review newspaper in Towanda, Pa, Bradford County, reported that a Georgia man allegedly dumped some 800 gallons of fluid in an area that contains oil and gas activity.  Reportedly, the male was arrested and charged in the matter.   

All officials apparently did an excellent job, and according to the D/R article, the mess is being cleaned up.   Another publication’s report stated that authorities were notified by a concerned citizen of Bradford County, Pa. who should be commended for doing the right thing during his very effective neighborhood watch. 

Although this issue is, ( thankfully), a local success story;  when it comes to the topic of companies providing safety and security services to the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, it is proposed herein that law-makers should tighten- up oversight and implement reform measures.  This stated contention is essentially the main topic of this blog entry.

I'm no lawyer, but I am of the understanding that under Pennsylvania law and specifically; The Private Detective Act of 1953 mandates that companies or individuals providing watch guard services to clients in this state are required to be licensed, insured and bonded.

 Safety and security on the oil and gas fields, and well sites involves the interaction of many partners including the energy company proper, contractors, sub-contractors, private agencies, local, state,federal authorities and the community at large.

The purpose of this article is not contrarian, combative, accusatory or partisan posturing. 

It is designed merely to assist in the already established safety and security policy, measures, and practices; and it proceeds to offer a few added possible protections for consideration in the spirit of the common good of all involved in the monumental industrial effort that is obviously happening around us.

This piece might also serve to assist in the attainment of the ultimate goals of objective scientific analysis, risk assessment, and effective problem solving.   One final qualification:  There is no agenda here, except for ensuring the success of the “Marcellus Shale Play”, and the protection of the people, environment and property .

Granted;  to date, things are running relatively smoothly.  Except for a few alleged reported incidents and, of course, the Dimock, Pennsylvania water issues as expressed by the documentary; “Gas land”.  

Most people would probably agree with the statement that no human enterprise is completely 100% risk free, and any endeavor therefore contains the consequent trade-offs, concessions, and compromise of some form.    

 But, it is prudent that we all should still continue be cognizant, and indeed, more vigilant than daring or cavalier, when it pertains to all the variant aspects of safety and security in this very challenging environment that we presently find ourselves in.   

Oil and gas exploration, production and the transportation of the volatile and valuable product to market has the potential to provide exceptional successes, yet simultaneously has the very real capability of possible catastrophe.

Adhering to strategic safety and security measures, and especially emergency planning and emergency services execution in this industry, is serious business demanding hard work, and most assuredly, it is being regarded by our leaders, the people and the energy companies as a high priority on a moment to moment basis throughout the commonwealth.  

It is a crucial area of concern for all of us to engage in as a community, and for this reason alone, safety and security at and around oil and gas well sites may now require some changes to current practices and truthfully, there is likely to be drawbacks in the form of  added costs for the adjunct protections. 

It is suggested herein that our law-makers should, therefore consider allowing for the assignment of some portion of these vital services at well sites to additional trained and licensed police officers, who will work closely with the regulatory authorities. 

Pennsylvania law- makers should make arrangements to legally assign additional full- duty cops actually on and around the well sites, and require the energy companies to foot the bill for such coverage.

With the advent of energy exploration and production in Northeast Pennsylvania, a multiplicity of opportunities and special challenges are becoming self-evident with every passing day on the well sites and throughout our communities.

Oil and gas well safety encompass the entire gambit ranging from protecting our people, property and environment from crime, acts of terrorism and a litany of potentially hazardous ramifications that may arise out of such pressing and dynamic industrial activity, which optimistically promises successful production,  profits and prosperity.

Well site security is equally important, especially during post 9-11 times that increasingly demand heightened prevention, vigilance and requires initiating, maintaining and supervising practices of appropriate professional, proactive measures and reactive response to incidents.

Likewise, local volunteer fire companies deserve an economic boost, and increased opportunity for experiencing enhanced training relative to rectifying the perils of oil and gas well site emergencies  when working in conjunction with the other professionals involved in such emergencies.  Activities should seamlessly meld with and compliment the teamwork and interface already exhibited by the many on and off site emergency service providers. 

These actions will only exceed the already heroic efforts of the men and women of the local fire services who have been tirelessly working with very low,( independently self-sufficient), budgets for years in the interest of the community.

The state legislature should offer a bill mandating that safety and security personnel on well sites will be certified, duty-bound police officers licensed with full training and arrest powers under the auspices of Pennsylvania Act #120.

The reps. should also research the possibility of establishing paid fire departments in the many counties of the “Keystone State” that are experiencing the oil and gas boom, if this measure is in any way feasible.

Currently, energy corporations either maintain their own internal safety and security operations, and additionally many contract-out these services and responsibilities to private agencies and/or individual consultants.  

It has been reported recently that training companies who specialize in oil and gas well site safety and security operations are currently about the business of instructing these volunteers, employees and officials.   This is a good thing.

The Pennsylvania Association of Private Investigators, PALI, is a “State College” based investigatory fellowship organization, which,( among other responsibilities), tracks compliance of security agencies and individuals- as to licensure, and reports offenders to officials who have the option to levee legal sanctions upon violators, if warranted.

The public record, in the form of a recent news account, reveals that unlicensed “safety and security activity”, has occurred in the commonwealth, in direct violation of the statute, and it has been reported to law enforcement.   These type of antics must be stopped for reasons of public safety, and it should make good business sense for the energy companies to embrace the enforcement of state law.

The precedent is already set for deploying police officers on well sites.  For years public utilities, railroads, mass transport companies and universities have required their safety and security services to be state certified law enforcement agencies .

Oversight and accountability is necessary, so why not require oil and gas companies to do the same, and have them foot the bill ,(or some part of it), for this added protection, which would likely exceed the already exemplary performance of our local and state police, sheriffs and the effective, legal, and ethical security companies already operating out there.

It is a well known fact in the protection industry that some contract security companies traditionally bid low for their hourly services in order to attract lucrative business arrangements with clients and consequently turn around and pay their employees basally, thus, negatively effecting the quality of the hire, and in turn,  diminishing service.  This practice could quite possibly open the door to compromising public safety and additionally endanger the assets of the oil and gas industry projects here. 

To be fair to the private contract security companies, however,  ( sometimes much to their credit), various agencies hire former and retired police officers and veterans who generally enhance overall service.   But in the grand scheme, these individuals mentioned previously are not per se;  “active” and empowered police officers wielding full arrest powers like the state licensed “real police.” 

It has also been observed, through experience in the protection industry and law enforcement circles, that contract security training is; well, minimal at best.

State certified, armed police officers are vetted and trained intensively. They possess the powers of arrest by virtue of the law and oath and they are experienced public servants.  They are supervised and managed.  Police officers also receive recruit and in-service training, which is second to none, and the instruction is continually required by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission throughout the length of the agents’ careers.

The deterrent effect of uniformed officers, alone;  far exceeds what contract security currently offers, not to mention the additional benefits if plain clothes, under-cover and in-depth investigative components are added to the proposed oil and gas safety and security service regime.

As a community engaged in a business arrangement with the oil and gas companies, we have an obligation to protect and ensure the ultimate success of the venture in the most effective ways, for the benefit of all the partners, even the “silent partner” that cannot speak for itself; our environment and natural surroundings. 

Approved “Town watch” (neighborhood) operations that elicit community input allow the opportunity for qualified citizens to serve as the eyes and ears of the police and regulatory agencies.  Within the confines of this guided and managed project, authorities encourage civilians to report incidents.  This publically-focused safety and security initiative is essential to the overall success of the “Marcellus Shale Play.”  An oil and gas activity; “Citizen’s Academy” could be established and implemented with a mission to indoctrinate and direct such community vigilance.    

 Pennsylvania also needs to fine-tune and standardize the rules, policy, practices, procedures and directives of safety and security measures at oil and gas industrial well sites, and ensure the ongoing quality of hiring, licensing and professionalization of this very vital operation, by employing more police officers at and around these locations to back-up the good work of the active police in the field as of now . 

If you are so inclined contact your local legislators, and inquire about the feasibility of some of the options noted herein.   There's plenty of room for other ideas as well.                 

In closing, I’d like to sum up this piece with the following final vignette for your edification.

A cadre of literary scholars have associated the true meaning of Samuel Clemens’ analogous writings about the movement of the river as possibly; passing time and, in fact;  life itself.  Aimlessly floating down the river without reservation, like Huck;  who considered it an “adventure,” is great for fictional kids-stuff and entertainment or recreational purposes, but from the standpoint of the inherent mission of safety and security risk assessment, prevention and response;  this mind set may in fact be very dangerous.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, when he wrote parts of the “Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn” a hundred or so years ago, may very well have been peering over into parts of northern Bradford County Pennsylvania and perhaps at the rolling waters of the Susquehanna and thinking of his  “Life on the Mississippi”,  when as a young man, he worked as a steamboat captain years before. 

By the way, the master of modern fiction took on the pen-name “Mark Twain”, which was the secure cathartic announcement and welcome realization on the working riverboat actually meaning; “safe depth”.  A 19th century technical safety and security procedure based on fact, evidence and science. 

When the two fathom measurement was announced, the pilot could then feel relieved to continue successfully negotiating a very expensive cargo, public transport,(and potentially explosive wood and coal powered steam vessel), through treacherous river water hopefully unscathed.  That was his responsibility, and he took it very seriously.        

It’s nothing short of amazing how a humorist and social critic adopted such a protective name as his writing handle.   In reality, it seems like the opposite extreme for the writer.  But, obviously, there was much more to the folksy- outward visage of Mark Twain the man and wise social critic…

For increased and enhanced safety and security reasons;  Pennsylvania should POLICE the well sites.  

Look for Part II entitled; “Some More Suggestions For Safety And Security Operations At Oil And Gas Well Sites In Pennsylvania…” scheduled to appear on this blog shortly, so be sure to read it. 

About the author;  Robert A. Young of Rome, Pa. is a free-lance writer, and he is pensioned from a career in law enforcement in a Pennsylvania city of the first class; Philadelphia, PA.   Summarized Credentials: 

During his early experience former officer Young , (who's father was a career police officer in the same department),served as a uniformed patrol officer in the challenging neighborhoods of North and Northeast Philadelphia.  He then worked city-wide in under-cover plain-clothes duty in the gang control specialty, and  continued fighting crime for many years as an in-depth investigator assigned to the juvenile aid division line squad and later;  the elite PPD special victim’s unit (formerly the sex crimes unit).

At PPD headquarters, he was a police media relations officer, worked in law enforcement research and planning, as a researcher/writer at the Citizen’s Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley, and  for over a decade, served as a police union publications editor.  He was also a police instructor assigned to the PPD Academy.    Mr. Young has additionally served in the private security industry in operations and  training.  Following his policing career, he conducted full time training as a health and safety specialist instructor for the American Red Cross SEPA Chapter in the Delaware Valley, prior to becoming a permanent resident of Bradford County, Pa. where he now writes.