Town of Jena Gas Awareness and Public Safety 6:30 - 2:30 PM:   (318) 992-2148 After hour Leaks: (318) 992-6931 EMERGENCIES DIAL 911

The Town of Jena does not maintain the gas lines on the customers' side of the meter. If this piping is not maintained it may be subject to the potential hazards of corrosion and leakage. Buried gas lines should be periodically inspected for leaks, and if the piping is metallic it should be inspected for corrosion. You can contact a licensed plumber or heating contractor to assist you in inspecting your gas lines. If any unsafe condition is discovered it should be repaired immediately, or the gas supply shut off until repairs can be made. 1. The Town of Jena Gas Department operates a natural gas distribution system in and around the Town of Jena. The purpose of the gas system is to provide a safe and economical source of energy for heating and cooking, etc. in our homes and businesses, adjacent to the underground gas pipelines. Underground natural gas pipelines are the safest mode of energy transportation. We need your help to keep it that way. By working together, we can keep our natural gas pipelines operating safely, without any disturbance or inconvenience to our neighbors. 2. The Town of Jena Gas System is "marked" with signs throughout the system and on gas valves. A picture of these signs are included in this pamphlet for your reference. REMEMBER: Markers indicate the general area of a pipeline, not the exact location! Markers do not indicate how deep a pipeline is! Pipelines do not necessarily follow a straight line between two markers! Never rely solely on the presence or absence of markers, someone may have altered or moved the marker! Do not plant trees on the pipeline right of way or build permanent structures! Do not dig on the right-of-way unless you have called the La. One Call Center! State Law requires you to call 48 hours before you dig. Call LA One Call at 1 (800) 372-3020 or Call 811. 3. How to recognize a pipeline leak: (NOTE: In its natural form, natural gas is odorless and tasteless.... Odorant has been added to help detect leaks) The smell of odorant resembles a "rotten egg smell". A hissing or roaring sound caused by escaping gas. A patch of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green setting. Blowing dirt, grass, or leaves near a known gas line. Flames originating from the ground or from valves along the pipeline route. Caution: Never try to extinguish a natural gas fire) Continuous bubbling in a wet area, or at a creek crossing or anywhere a gas line is submerged in water. 4. If you notice a gas leak on a pipeline or outside your home, you should: a. Avoid open flame and other sources of ignition. b. Turn off and abandon any nearby vehicles or equipment. c. Warn others and leave the vicinity immediately by foot. d. Stay upwind if possible. e. Warn any onlookers to stay clear. f. Call 911 and The Town of Jena at 992-6931(When you are at a safe distance away from the leak). (A Gas Depart ment employee will be dispatched, at no cost to you.) 5. If you smell gas or suspect you have a gas leak inside your home you should: a. Do not strike any matches or other forms of ignition. b. Do not operate any light switches. c. Do not use the telephone, get out immediately. d. If possible stay upwind, go to a neighbor's home, call the Town of Jena 992-2148, if no answer call 992-6931, or 911. (A Gas Department employee will be dispatched, at no cost to you.) e. Never turn gas valves on or off. f. Do not go back in your home or allow anyone else to enter, until you are told it is safe. 6. For Contractors and Excavators: If you need to excavate, dig, demolish a structure, or any type of activity that could endanger a pipeline or its components: a. State law requires that you call the LA One Call Center at 1 (800) 272-3020 or Call 811, 48 hours (2 days) in advance of any activities so that all utilities in your dig area can be located and marked. b. When you call the LA One Call Center you will need an address or street (road), etc. name with nearest intersection, distance, direction, etc. Mark the dig area with white paint. c. The One Call Center will give you a ticket number, it is important that you keep a record of your call ticket number, etc. d. Upon receipt of your request for a line locate... as soon as possible a Town of Jena Gas Department employee will be dispatched to "mark" your "dig, demolish area". (THIS IS A FREE SERVICE AT NO COST TO YOU) e. After the lines are "marked", the safest way to be sure the "marks" are correct is to uncover the line by "hand-digging" within 24-inches of each side of the lines. If you do not call and you hit an underground line, you could be hurt or killed. You may also be held liable for costly damages. If there are no "marks" in your dig area after the 48 hours notice has expired, Do not assume there are no lines present, call the One Call Center back (have your ticket number ready for them.). IMPORTANT: If you see any suspicious activity, such as digging, demolishing, logging, or any other such activities near a natural gas pipeline, Please call the Town of Jena at 992-2148, if no answer call 992-6931 or 911. 7. For Emergency Responders: How to respond to a pipeline leak: a. If responding to the report of a suspected leak, approach the area from upwind if possible. b. Keep traffic away and secure the area. c. Avoid contact with pipeline contents and associated vapors. d. Never attempt to operate pipeline valves, this could prolong or worsen the incident. e. From a safe area, call the Town of Jena at 318-992-2148 between 7:30 am to 4 pm. After hours call the Town of Jena Fire Department at 318-992-6931. f. If you have not received an emergency manual or attended a gas emergency response meeting please contact the Town of Jena as soon as possible. In an event of an emergency and loss of contact through phone; The Town of Jena utilizes our local radio station (KJNA 102.7) to connect with residents along our local distribution system. Gas Awareness Brochure (Printable) Gas Awareness Survey How much did you learn? Test your knowledge.