White Springs Team Called to Help Fight Florida Wildfire
At PotashCorp's White Springs facility, emergency response personnel are trained to handle most any emergency at the mine and plant. In May 2007, however, their expertise was required off-premises.
The scene was the Bugaboo Wildfire raging out of control in Columbia County near the Florida/Georgia state line. The fire was named after the Bugaboo Island area of the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge that straddles the border. Having consumed 180 square miles of brush and timberland, the wildfire was considered one of Florida's largest when the call went out to PotashCorp for help.
Specifically requested was the company's Wild Land Fire Team – a crew of experts trained and certified by the Florida Division of Forestry for just this type of emergency.
"We immediately deployed four large bulldozers with maintenance and fuel support, as well as equipment operators and supervisory personnel," said Cameron Lynch, Superintendent, Mine Planning and Services.
Keith Thornton, White Springs General Manager, and others from the site's leadership team also took steps to ensure the firefighters had ample food, water and other supplies.
"It took us three days to create an initial firebreak 125 feet wide and two miles long," said Lynch, who was also part of the on-site supervisory team. "At that time we were in the safe zone, but I'll tell you, it didn't feel very safe."
His premonition was correct as the fire soon jumped behind the team. That meant the PotashCorp bulldozer squad needed to carve an escape route by creating a firebreak between the fire and an untouched area. To assist them, helicopters were called in to dump water in an effort to control the fire and, more importantly, protect the men and equipment.
"When we had to split up our four bulldozers, two each to a fire front, I was sure hoping all that training we went through would pay off," said Chuck Adams, another member of the PotashCorp team. "Many of us have been working together at PCS since we were young men, and you want to make sure everybody comes away safe."
The team ultimately escaped danger, but it worked until 11 p.m. that night with other firefighting teams and air support to re-establish control on all flanks.
"What amazed us was how the PotashCorp team pushed the line around the perimeter of the fire; what we thought would take over two hours took them 45 minutes," said Keith O'Steen, Forest Area Supervisor with Florida's Division of Forestry. "Those big dozers are nice. What's more impressive, however, is the ability of PCS personnel to work as a team and the significant line production they achieved. The way they support our community is just overwhelming."
What gives the PotashCorp Wild Land Fire Team its edge is the day-to-day operation of those large bulldozers at the mine site.
"From initial prep of a mining area, to reclaiming land, to road and dam construction, our heavy equipment group moves some 800 acres a year," said Lynch. "All of that experience is put to use when we are out there fighting a fire.
"It's nice to receive praise from the community and forestry officials for our expertise in getting in there and taking care of some very rough areas," he added. "We were concerned with the rate of the fire's spread and were glad to help contain it. We have a responsibility to our neighbors, and I believe we demonstrated White Springs' commitment to community service during that fire."