Home
Firefighters get hands-on training in Iowa
fire

​Our Iowa gas team supported one of two fire safety demonstrations in Newton, Iowa, this month.

Mutual aid departments in the area joined together to train under controlled circumstances on techniques that included effectively containing and extinguishing natural gas fires with the latest materials for portable fire extinguishers and hose streams.

"Natural gas is such a safe fuel, it's highly unlikely that firefighters would ever encounter that kind of fire," said Summer Wade, Black Hills Energy operations supervisor for the Newton area. Even so, "our training provides a unique opportunity for hands-on experience and instruction."

In one exercise, firefighters used a fire hose and chemical extinguishers to put out a controlled natural gas fire under a scrapped vehicle, simulating a potential result of a car hitting a gas meter. In another scenario, firefighters practiced how to safely contain and extinguish a natural gas fire from a pipeline puncture.

The training is offered each year in a different portion of Iowa to fire departments throughout 133 Iowa communities.

We partner with our communities and customers, providing the kind of energy that fuels those areas and the lives of those we serve. Feel free to share the stories and photos. Make sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Positive Energy

arm
Nebraska team lends an arm
For emergency medical technicians (EMTs), having opportunities to train can mean the difference between life and death for their patients. Some skills aren’t easy to practice, though. Recently the Imperial, Nebraska, team of Nebraska Gas was able to make a donation to the Grant Volunteer Fire…
mache
Counts car show features all-electric Mustang in South Dakota
Recently Black Hills Energy had the opportunity to sponsor the 22nd Annual Counts of the Cobblestone Car Show at The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota. In addition to the almost 250 cars, trucks and motorcycles on display, weekend festivities included awards for different vehicle classes, a…
team
Valentine project spreads love to South Dakota nursing home residents
Valentine’s Day is a time to show kindness and care to those we love. Oftentimes, we forget about our senior citizens and people in assisted living facilities. Years ago, KSLT Power 107.1, a radio station in Rapid City, South Dakota, started a Valentine’s Day outreach program. Each year they ask…
donation
Black Hills Energy contributes to new Iowa library
Black Hills Energy has contributed $25,000 toward a new library in Grimes, Iowa, that will help meet the needs of a growing community. The contribution to Friends of Grimes Public Library was made possible by the Black Hills Energy Foundation and Iowa Gas. “It’s our honor and our continued…