As industry grows in communities throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, ExxonMobil is working to ensure that first responders have the skills they need to safeguard residents. Since 2018, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company led the industry in funding a training program with the renowned Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station. The first session this year took place last month, with three others scheduled. Each session accommodates up to 50 participants.
The specialized weekend training program, hosted at Brayton Fire Training Field at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, has already trained over 680 firefighters since its inception. Under this initiative, first responders gain essential skills and rigorous training that prepares them for scenarios they might encounter on a pipeline or in an industrial setting.
“As our industry grows and evolves, it is important that our first responders are trained on the latest technologies so they can safely and effectively respond to emergencies that may arise,” said Michael Smith, community engagement lead for ExxonMobil Pipeline Company. “TEEX has many props that mimic pipeline and storage tank emergencies. They teach first responders how to approach a fire or release in those settings, how to be safe, and how to work as a team. It’s world-class training that they are not going to get anywhere else that sharpens skills in all aspects of emergency response.”
The program covers various scenarios, including those involving carbon dioxide—an increasingly significant aspect of ExxonMobil’s operations. With the largest owned and operated carbon dioxide pipeline network in the United States, ExxonMobil emphasizes the importance of ensuring local firefighters are equipped to handle any potential incident.
“We expect that our Low Carbon Solutions businesses will continue to grow, so it’s important to proactively equip firefighters with the tools and knowledge they will need should an incident occur,” Smith said. “We work hard to make sure nothing goes wrong, but we feel it’s important that first responders are prepared for anything.”
To ensure accessibility, ExxonMobil covers all costs associated with the program, including lodging, meals and materials. Travel stipends are also available for departments who have small transportation budgets.
“Some of our little towns in Louisiana have limited resources so this helps us tremendously,” said Geismar Fire Department Chief, Nat Stephens. “As first responders, this is tremendous for us to be aware and to learn the techniques that it takes to make our people safe.”
ExxonMobil is dedicated to helping the communities in which it operates. The trainings are open to any first responder in North America that is near an ExxonMobil pipeline or facility. There are three additional trainings still available for first responders to register for in 2024:
- April 20-21. Registration closes April 5. Register online at teex.link/ExxonMobilAPR2024
- September 14-15. Registration closes August 30. Register online at teex.link/ExxonMobilSEP2024
- November 9-10. Registration closes October 25. Register online at teex.link/ExxonMobilNOV2024
For more information and registration details, please visit: https://louisiana.exxonmobilpipeline.com/community/first-responders