The company released the following statement:
"Con Edison has developed new enhancements to our emergency response and evacuation protocols for outside gas leaks. We have been discussing these protocols with the Fire Department and the state Public Service Commission, and began implementing these changes last week.
The changes involve mobilizing more emergency responders to the scene of serious gas leaks sooner so that appropriate evacuations, venting of manholes and tracing the source of a gas leak can be conducted simultaneously. For serious outside gas leaks, our gas control room dispatchers will now alert the Fire Department and dispatch additional company crews to the scene. Any high gas readings in the street will initiate a door-to-door check by responders and, if gas readings are detected within buildings, evacuation of those buildings by fire and company personnel.
We also want to remind customers that if they smell a gas odor in their home or apartment, they should leave immediately and call Con Edison from an outside phone at 1-800-75-CONED to report the condition. We are committed to doing everything possible to protect the public during these events, and we continue to assist the families affected by this tragedy."
NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS
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