Incident Report

Subject:         US - Toledo Refinery hosts Whiting in fire drills

Date of Email report:  Wed 30/07/2014 07:10

Report Detail:

An example of collaborative learning and engagement between two progressive refinery fire departments
With excellent leadership…..

When it comes to sharing best practices and learning experiences, the Toledo and Whiting refineries make the most of One Team opportunities. Most recently, the BP-Husky Refining site hosted 39 Whiting firefighters for two days of “live” fire training and basic instruction.
The Toledo training facilities provided the Whiting Emergency Response Team (ERT) with “a good look” representation of the types of fires they may be challenged to fight. The training focused on firefighting basics of master stream deployment and tactics, fire attack team and group manoeuvring, effective stream firefighting, hose handling and team building.

“The Whiting team has a number of new, inexperienced and talented ERT members just like we have at Toledo,” said Toledo Emergency Response Specialist and Fire Chief Chris Herman, who helped coordinate the two-day training. “They needed an environment where they could develop their skills and practice fire response.

“Everyone benefits when we share our facilities, equipment and practices. In this case, it was an improvement opportunity for both refineries to gain insight into what works best in fire-fighting equipment and methods. At Toledo we have always operated from a position of learning and Continuous Improvement. We believe we can always improve.”

Earlier in 2014, Whiting Refinery Emergency Services & Security Management Superintendent Ward Barnett contacted Toledo Superintendent of Security and Crisis Management Joe Hench about the possibility of the Whiting emergency response team using Toledo’s facilities to conduct fire training. Toledo embraced the chance to work with its BP counterparts.

“Toledo did an excellent job of planning the event while working with a tight schedule involving travel and other logistical challenges,” added Ward, noting the contribution of Toledo HSSE Administrative Assistant Deven Buck. “Chris and (Assistant Fire Chief) Jon Parker were very supportive and provided positive leadership with their experience and knowledge.”

Herman and Parker served as fuelling and safety officers for the training sessions held at the East Tank Field in June. They set up training scenarios that Whiting wanted to practice and assured that fuel would be cut off to kill flames if there were any issues.
In one scenario, six Whiting firefighters, armed with a fire hose, climbed up platform stairs to extinguish a blaze. During another fire exercise, an abandoned railroad car was set on fire to simulate an emergency situation.

To ensure that the event was completed safely, Herman and Parker had two face-to-face planning meetings with Whiting Fire Chief Joe Grzymski and Barnett. “We planned everything from meals to which prop segments we would use as well as how we would communicate during the live burn sessions,” Herman explained. “Whiting participants even used our fire apparatus, which is similar to theirs, to keep the training ‘real’ for them.”
Toledo’s 70-person volunteer ERT protects people, property, the environment and reputation of its refinery from unexpected emergency incidents or events involving hazardous materials, fire or personnel. The team also provides emergency response services and support to the local community.

Additional Documentation: