It is all too easy to become complacent when dealing with outside gas leaks or other hazmat incidents we've come to regard as commonplace. Thursday's incident in a neighborhood near San Francisco, when a gas line ruptured, reinforces the fact that no emergency is routine, along with the importance of pre-incident planning and proper training for safely responding to hazardous materials emergencies of all types. It also underscores the need for continued fire service involvement in regulatory proceedings around the siting and identification of hazardous materials facilities, including pipelines and other transportation routes. The reality, given the quantity and variety of hazardous materials transported through them without any problems, is that pipelines are a relatively safe method of transporting products we use every day. Just the same, responders must be familiar with their locations and treat them with respect, as this incident demonstrates beyond a doubt. For more information about pipeline safety, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) at www.phmsa.dot.gov/ and http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/ Fire News in Focus by Adam K. Thiel