Welcome to Rhode Island Energy’s Tips of the Trade for first responders. These tips are intended to help you respond safely and effectively to incidents involving natural gas and electricity. Please review them with your team. Gas valve safety Valves are critical components of the gas delivery system. They help regulate and control the flow of natural gas. Incorrect operation of these valves can create abnormal operating conditions that may pose a threat to public safety and property. To order our FREE safety materials, visit the Rhode Island Energy e‑SMARTresponders website. ORDER KIT  Notify Rhode Island Energy for any gas emergency Notify Rhode Island Energy immediately through your dispatcher for any natural gas emergency. You can respond to an indoor gas leak or fire by shutting off the gas at a service meter or an appliance supply line. Or you can wait for a Rhode Island Energy personnel to shut off the gas upon their arrival. Only shut off gas at the appliance supply line or the meter; never turn the gas back on. • If a single gas appliance is involved in the incident, close the appliance gas shutoff valve on the gas piping within 6 feet of the appliance. • If the incident requires shutting off all gas to the structure:   ◦ Find the aboveground gas service meter shutoff valve, located on the riser near the structure. For … The valve is … An individual meter Typically found on the piping that comes out of the ground before the meter A master service shutoff Usually located close to the gas meter assembly, near where the gas pipeline emerges from the ground or comes through a wall   ◦ Using the proper tool, close the valve with a quarter turn so that it is perpendicular to the pipe.   ◦ After the gas service shutoff valve has been closed, do NOT reopen it. Only trained Rhode Island Energy personnel are permitted to restore gas service.   ◦ Inform Rhode Island Energy personnel of the precise location of any valves you have closed. Never operate any underground valve Operating these valves could cause dangerous pressure changes in the system. Under no circumstances should you open or close them. Only trained Rhode Island Energy personnel should operate these gas valves. For more first responder safety information, visit rienergy.e‑smartresponders.com. To report emergencies, call 911 and Rhode Island Energy immediately. Natural gas emergencies: 1‑800‑640‑1595 Electrical emergencies: 1‑855‑RIE‑1102 (743‑1102) Always call 911 if you suspect a gas leak! Smell Gas. Act Fast. Call 911.     #18054 © 2026 Culver Company, LLC