Gasoline Station Attendants To Be Trained In Emergency Procedures
Following the tragedy that killed two small children in the Shell Escazú gasoline station fire and explosion, gas pump attendants will have to receive training before they can be hired and begin work.

That is the word from Héctor Chaves, director general of Bomberos, who says that his institution will be obligate all gasoline station attendants to receive training on the proper steps in the event of an emergency.

The Bomberos de Costa Rica (fire department) is a division of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) - the state insurance company- and will require that all gasoline station attendants be accredited in prevention, control of emergencies and evacuation procedures.

Chaves added that the key word is evacuation in the face of a gasoline spill, as the affected area should be cleared first, then call the fire department and the last step is to control the spill. However, the reverse is always the case, said Chavez.

Chaves said that 70% of the training will be practical, with hands on procedures on how to handle an emergency, while 30% of the training will be theory.

The decision has the full support of the Asociación de Expendedores de Combustible. José Miguel Masís, executive director of the association, expressed his satisfaction on the training of gasoline station attendants.

For the time being there is no regulation that covers the activity and the training is strictly voluntary. Masis said that if the Bomberos will train the attendants, his association will ensure that the they will attend.