“The role of a firefighter in today’s society – be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defense force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice – no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy – fire – no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.” ~Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999
Fearless, strong, noble and selfless - these are just a few words that can be used to describe firefighters all over the world. At LyondellBasell, we are honored to recognize and celebrate our Emergency Response Team (ERT) firefighters on International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD). These courageous men and women make sacrifices every day to ensure their sites, offices, communities and environment are as safe as possible.
"I'm honored to serve the community, complex, and do everything I can to ensure the safety of each individual at the La Porte Complex," said. Robert “Hammer” Alexander, On Scene Commander, C Shift, La Porte Complex.
Firefighters dedicate their time to extensive training, put safety first in everything they do and unselfishly protect their colleagues and surrounding communities. From obtaining the latest firefighting equipment to helping feed the hungry, there are countless reasons to honor our firefighters at LyondellBasell.
La Porte, Texas, U.S.
LyondellBasell’s La Porte Complex recently commissioned a new foam engine with heightened technology and equipment, elevating the site’s ability to respond during emergencies. The site’s previous foam engine was built in 1989 and lacked much of the high-tech capabilities that are equipped in newer trucks. Per minute, the new foam engine can get between 3,000 and 6,000 gallons (11,350 to 22,712 liters) of water, and 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of foam, all of which can be managed from control panels inside the truck.
“It is our responsibility to be prepared if an emergency occurs. The La Porte Emergency Response Team appreciates the company and local management's support obtaining the right equipment and providing exemplary training allowing us to protect employees, the environment, and our assets if an incident occurs," Lance Hardcastle, Specialist, HSE & Loss Prevention, La Porte Complex.
The La Porte Complex’s new foam engine also serves as a resource to other LyondellBasell Houston-area facilities, as the sites provide backup emergency services when needed. Additionally, in the event of a chemical emergency at a non-LyondellBasell Houston-area facility in a municipality where the company has operations, LyondellBasell ERT firefighters can support with foam engines and other resources. Furthermore, industry partners, including LyondellBasell, lend emergency services through Channel Industries Mutual Aid (CIMA). CIMA is a non-profit organization that combines firefighting, rescue, hazardous material handling and emergency medical capabilities of the refining and petrochemical industry in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area for rapid response and emergencies when needed.
Ferrara, Italy
Ferrara, Italy’s fire station consists of 40 fire brigades that work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to support all of the companies inside the city’s petrochemical area, including LyondellBasell.
The fire brigades are organized in five teams that all train at least once a month on a new platform, such as a rescue platform. The rescue platform is equipped with a monitor to spray fractionated water and can reach a height of 34 meters for an eventual recovery at high altitude. Additionally, firefighters who are part of a fire brigade’s core rescue unit, train using a tower with a height of 14.50 meters – the highest built structure in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region – to gain the skills needed to rescue people at high altitudes.
Tuscola, Illinois
LyondellBasell ERT firefighters at Tuscola are dedicated to carrying their mission to protect and serve the workplace into their community. Twice a week, Tuscola employees and Arthur Fire Department volunteer firefighters, Justin Ray and Austin Gude, load up their vehicles with boxes of food to deliver meals to local families who continue to experience challenging times due to COVID-19. Ray and Gude have helped feed families since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
At LyondellBasell, we are grateful for the dedication of our firefighters and thankful for their commitment to keep our communities and workplace safe. Our firefighters are fiercely selfless and deserve to be celebrated for their undeniable bravery and strength, as they remain steadfast even in the face of unfathomable challenges.
