MORRIS, Ill. – Oct. 6 2017 – Firefighters at LyondellBasell’s Morris Complex understand the benefits of fire training. With over 150 hours per responder of collective emergency training, extensive drilling occurs to respond to any situation that may arise, at any time at the plant or in the community.
October 8-14 is National Fire Prevention Week, but the firefighters at LyondellBasell train all year round.
“We have to be prepared to answer at any time and to be able to mitigate any situation that may occur,” said John Grimmenga, fire chief of the Morris Complex.
With the investment of 87 firefighters from the Morris Complex alone, LyondellBasell is focused and ready to answer with mutual aid to the public when needed -- including train derailments, industrial incidents, large fire incidents, rescue incidents and hazmat situations.
“Many people do not know that we provide first response and training to municipal and industrial mutual aid partners. We all work unified to assure the safety of the public and our personnel on site at the plant are safe,” said Grimmenga.
LyondellBasell often invites the members of the Morris and Minooka Fire Department and NIAIMA (Northeast Illinois Area Industrial Mutual Aid) to attend any of LyondellBasell’s Morris Complex training. In addition, LyondellBasell attends offsite live fire training with NIAIMA at Texas A&M, home to a comprehensive offsite training facility used to train over 81,000 firefighters a year. Live fire training opportunities are also available for the Morris Complex, NIAIMA and the Morris and Minooka Fire Departments at LyondellBasell’s Clinton Complex in Iowa.
“The relationships we have with the local fire departments and industrial departments assures we will get the help needed and we will provide the help they require in their times of need,” said Grimmenga.
In addition to fire, EMS, hazmat and rescue training, the LyondellBasell fire team also frequently practices their fire safety skills, focusing their attention on safe and efficient use of mobile fire equipment to assure proper operation in an emergency.
“If you don’t use your training you lose some of the skills and knowledge, so it is very important for us to continue to keep our skills sharp and ready to mitigate any situation,” said Grimmenga.
Robert Coleman, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Agency responder, has worked alongside the LyondellBasell Fire Team for over 40 years.
“I have had the opportunity to work and train with the LyondellBasell team and really understand chemical plants through LyondellBasell,” said Coleman. “I know the benefits this plant provides to the community, and the relationships I have established with plant workers throughout my time has truly shaped me as a fire chief in my career.”
With over 25 years of fire safety experience, Grimmenga is proud of the time, effort and energy the firefighters of LyondellBasell dedicate to advancing training for themselves and the community.
“Our professional team is dedicated to the safety of site personnel, along with the public, environment and the plant, and we know training proactively makes that possible,” said Grimmenga.