The Selma Times-Journal

Think before you dig.

Ben Puckett, operations manager

with Dixie Pipeline, was the guest speaker at the July 12 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting.

Stress was placed on excavation warning signs and calling the 1-800 number before doing any digging.

The propane pipeline runs west to east from Mont Belvieu, Texas to Apex, N.C.

Puckett said the pipes are constantly tested and monitored.

There will be an emergency drill at the Suttles station in Valley Grande on Highway 16 on Thursday, July 19.

Pam Cook, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director, reported the LEPC has received a $20K grant to be used for hazardous materials response training.

A committee is currently being formed to organize the project, which must be completed by December. However, committee members cannot participate in the exercise, according to Cook.

Cook and EMA Deputy Director Rhonda Abbott announced Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at Wallace Community College Selma commenced July 14 and will end July 21.

Tentative dates have been set for the CERT training in Plantersville &045; Saturdays July 28 and Aug. 4.

Anyone interested in signing up can call the EMA office for details.

According to Cook, there will be a poster contest, &8220;hopefully a tornado simulator,&8221; an array of emergency response personnel and lots of informative media will be distributed to the public.