Recent changes to Con Edison’s emergency response protocols were a direct result of a fatal gas explosion in Floral Park on April 24, a spokesperson for the utility company said.
The revised outside gas leak procedures – developed after discussions with the Fire Department (FDNY) and the New York state Public Service Commission – will mobilize “more emergency responders to the scene of serious gas leaks sooner” and improve evacuation procedures, according to a statement issued by Con Ed on May 18.
The changes, implemented the week of May 11, according to the statement, emerged a week after a town hall meeting at which devastated Floral Park residents admonished the utility giant for its response prior to the explosion. The blast claimed the life of 40-year-old Ghanwatti Boodram and destroyed her 80-50 260th Street home as well as an adjacent house.
Asked if its procedure overhaul was a result of the April 24 blast, Con Ed spokesperson Chris Olert replied in an email, “Yes: We are constantly reviewing procedures to make the system safer for our customers.”
Per its new response guidelines, Con Ed will call the FDNY and additional company crews when emergency responders detect “a strong outside gas odor or reading” or if there are “high” gas readings of 4 percent or greater in a below-ground structure after venting; if readings are detected in multiple subsurface structures prior to venting; or if venting of a structure is not possible.
Additionally, the new guidelines mandate that first responders immediately begin surveying buildings for gas and possible evacuation while other responders are en route to the scene.
When summoned, FDNY and additional crews will assist in the removal of manhole covers and monitor the interiors of nearby buildings. They will assist in the evacuation of any buildings in which FDNY personnel smell gas or obtain readings with an instrument and will evacuate the “affected areas” of multi-family or large commercial buildings. The new procedures also require that entire buildings be evacuated if readings remain over 0.5 percent after venting.
However, Floral Park residents say that, while Con Ed’s new response protocol is all well and good, change arrived about three weeks too late for the people on and around 260th Street.
“The only thing I can say is it was not soon enough – that sums it up,” said Vita Barth, a next-door neighbor of the Boodrams whose home was destroyed in the explosion. “This is a tragedy that has occurred that didn’t have to occur if these procedures were correct.”
She went on, “I have nothing else to say. They corrected the procedure – it will be wonderful for someone else.”
