Office of Conservation

State Fire Marshal and state accept national safety role

BATON ROUGE—Louisiana is the first state to accept the challenge of achieving a national goal of “zero deaths, zero injuries, and no significant harm to property and the environment” from pipeline accidents. State Fire Marshall V.J. Bella announced today that he would take on the leadership role for the state in this initiative.

Bella expects to work with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation, the Department of Public Safety and Louisiana State University to reach a greater degree of training and education for emergency responders in the state.

While on a site visit of a pipeline plant with federal officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Association of State Fire Marshals, Bella urged that new government agency alliances be formed to help achieve these goals. DNR officials joined Bella, saying that the department is ready to move forward with the endeavor.

DOT’s Administrator for Research and Special Programs Ellen G. Engleman expressed the importance of our country’s pipeline transportation network and how to strengthen safety measures to protect people, property and the environment.

Editors: For more information, contact Marc Reech at the Office of State Fire Marshall at 225-922-0839, or Phyllis Darensbourg at DNR Public Information Office at 225-342-8955.