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Texas-based gas exploration company Range Resources is partnering with Lycoming County to help teach emergency personnel what to do if someone is injured on a gas well site.

On Wednesday, Ralph Tijerina, health, safety and environmental director - Appalachia, presented the county with $10,000 to conduct an emergency preparedness drill involving emergency responders and hospital personnel throughout the county.

The contribution was to help emergency responders understand the environment to which they will be exposed if they are called to a gas well emergency, said Craig Konkle, operations and training supervisor for the county Department of Public Safety and public safety committee chairman for the county Community Gas Exploration Task Force.

According to Tijerina, Range Resources understands the county has been proactive about issues related to natural gas exploration and also that the county "is really somebody we really want to work with."

"I see a long-term partnership between Range Resources and Lycoming County," he said.

According to Tijera, safety always is a priority at a gas drilling site.

However, like any heavily industrial operation, a gas drilling site can be a dangerous place to work, he said.

"One of our focuses of working with the county was to make sure everybody understood the industry, the potential hazards associated with it and how to respond properly," he said.

"I asked the (task force public safety) committee if it was willing to participate in a drill to identify gaps so we can plan how to fill those gaps and ensure everybody is properly trained," he said.

"The plan was to use an actual drilling rig so there will be a realistic environment to learn in," he said.

According to Konkle, the committee was more than willing to participate.

Between 10 and 12 different agencies will be involved in the drill, he said, including local fire departments, the State Police, health care personnel and life flight, he said.

The event will be held this fall, he said.

Konkle praised the gas industry in general, and Range Resources in particular, for its willingness to work with the county, especially regarding voluntary addressing of gas well sites.

The county commissioners today are expected to pass an ordinance that will make gas well addressing mandatory. Addressing will let 911 dispatchers know where to send emergency responders if there is an accident at a well site.

According to Konkle, Lycoming County may then be the only county in the state that requires mandatory addressing for gas well sites.

Range public affairs specialist James Cannon said he hopes the contribution will show county residents the company is committed to staying and doing business in Lycoming County.

"The committment of these funds not only show a committment to Lycoming County, but to the safety of their own employees and the safety of first responders," Irv Gleason, city deputy fire chief and committee member, said.