Safety First, Service Always
Although CoServ began as an electric cooperative, 27 years ago CoServ Gas was founded with the same mission and vision. This expansion enabled the co-op to deliver reliable, affordable energy solutions to more communities across North Texas – while maintaining its unwavering commitment to excellence and safety.
This dedication can be seen through the emphasis that’s placed on modern infrastructure and best practices that are woven throughout CoServ Gas.
Gas Worker training includes classroom instruction, field training in the CoServ Training Yard, and on-the-job learning. All of these components have continued to grow over the last 27 years, culminating to create a robust program for Gas Workers.
The Training Yard has been set up with simulations for the crews to practice in a controlled environment with an air compressor, excavating equipment, and sometimes full gear that includes a self-contained breathing apparatus. This is when Gas technicians can learn and repeat scenarios to ensure when they’re on scene at a hit gas line or installation of a new gas line, they’re able to handle the pressure and focus on the task at hand.
“When you’re in a live situation, it can be intimidating,” Daniel Solis, Gas Construction Manager, said. “There’s a lot going on, and we try to simulate it as much for them as possible, so they aren’t caught off guard when they have to do it in real life.”
Beyond training, CoServ Gas proactively implemented the use of Excess Flow Valves (EFV) a number of years ago to further drive home the importance of safety on its system. An EFV greatly reduces the release of gas if the service line is cut, broken, or damaged. The EFV lives inside the gas line and immediately goes into action until a crew can repair the damage. EFVs are installed on all new construction homes and are being added retroactively to all existing CoServ Gas Customers’ lines.
If a customer does report smelling gas or another concern, Gregg Gray, Gas Operations Field Supervisor, says that anytime a gas technician visits a Customer's home, the system will be checked. He adds their priority is to calm the Customer’s concern.
“At the end of the day everything we do is for our Customers,” Gregg said. “All the time we spend in the classroom and training yard, we do all of that so we can provide safe, reliable service for our Customers.”
