Knock, Knock: The Fire Department Visits

A lot goes on in the background to help keep our employees safe. Think about all the chemicals, machines and materials in our buildings—how do first responders know where to go and what to do once they get there?

Johnstown recently hosted four platoons of the Johnstown Fire Department and toured them through the mill during a two-week period. Mike Wirick, a LIBERTY Johnstown wire drawer and volunteer firefighter in his municipality, led the tours.

In addition to better understanding the layout of the plant, they also learned how we use equipment, any hazards associated with them, the best way to de-energize equipment and how to safely remove someone from a machine. Knowing the chemicals we use, their location and how we use them helps first responders plan for how to protect themselves and others in case of emergency.

During the tour, both parties were able to coordinate on the creation of a facility map with specific relevant items identified, such as exits, hydrant locations, flow rate data for hydrants, key shut-offs for natural gas and methanol lines, and chemical storage locations. The maps are loaded into the fire department’s computer system. During an incident, firefighters can access these maps on their way to the mill to allow for faster response times.

The teams also shared feedback on what could cause an issue during a response. For example, they discovered a sunk hydrant which would cause a problem connecting a hose. Plans are in place for addressing this concern.

Partnerships like these help us develop key relationships with our communities and shave off seconds when it matters most.