Mine's Emergency Response Team Responds to Call from Local Fire Department
At PotashCorp's Lanigan potash operation, commitment to community may include putting out fires – literally. For the town's volunteer fire department, that means it can call in the mine's Emergency Response Team for extra firefighting help when needed.
"We don't call on them that often, but when we do, they respond," said Lanigan Fire Chief Barry Hooper. Such was the case on August 20, 2007 when he realized that a house fire his crew was fighting was too big to extinguish without more men and equipment.
"It was a big, old house, one and a half stories, with wood shavings for insulation and several rooms and levels in the attic," Chief Hooper said. "That made it difficult to fight. Just when we'd think we had the fire under control, it would reignite in another area of the roof. We were a bit short-handed, so I had someone make the call to PotashCorp."
According to Lanigan Safety Supervisor Ken Worobec, the company responded immediately with seven more firefighters, an additional fire truck and more breathing apparatus.
"When we arrived at the scene, the volunteer crew was working the blaze from the exterior," Worobec said. "We assisted with more water lines and ladders to access the roof. Once on top, we were able to cut more holes to vent heat and gases and eventually control the fire."
The company's willingness to send out its firefighting-trained employees, along with equipment, is a great assistance for small towns like Lanigan.
"Many of our employees live in this area," said Worobec. "Offering the help of our Emergency Response Team shows our commitment to support the communities our employees call home."
Chief Hooper expressed the town's appreciation.
"We only have a 20-person volunteer department and all of them have regular jobs; so when we need more manpower, especially during the day, it's reassuring to know that PotashCorp stands ready to help."