The Observer, January, 2009

Alyeska’s fire brigade wins statewide competition

For the 10th consecutive year, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.’s Valdez Marine Terminal Fire Brigade captured the Alaska Firefighter Competition Governor’s Trophy at the 2008 Statewide Firefighting Conference. The team has won the Governor’s Trophy 14 times since 1993. As the Valdez Marine Terminal Director, this is an achievement that I am very proud of because it demonstrates the caliber of our employees.

The brigade also took first place in four individual events: the ladder raise; fire extinguisher; make and break; and the self-contained breathing apparatus.

This years’ competition was held in Juneau with eight fire departments from around the state competing. Groups included the Alyeska brigade; Red Dog Mine Fire and Rescue; Capital City Fire and Rescue (Juneau); Alpine Fire Department; Valdez Fire Department; “Oosiks” Chapter; Cordova Fire Department; and others. The conference attendees also participated in over 400 hours of training that included classroom and hands-on workshops and training courses.

Alyeska’s competition team included Brian Beauvais, Justin Major, Steve McCann, Matt Smelcer, Jennifer Stubblefield, Ken White, and Sean Wisner.

Our fire brigade is made up of technicians from all over the Valdez Marine Terminal including Oil Movements and Storage, Power Vapor, Marine, Maintenance, Instrument/Electricians, and Ballast Water Treatment. Fire Chief Brian Beauvais said, “When there is an emergency, the team has an expert represented from all areas of the terminal, and that diversity is what makes our brigade so strong.”

I would like to share a rescue that our fire brigade/rope rescue team was involved with recently. We received a call from the Valdez Fire Department to help rescue a man who had fallen down a crude tower at the Petro Star Refinery, which is down the road from the Valdez Marine Terminal. Within minutes of the call, the rope rescue team was able to lift the man to safety. This challenging rescue is a testament to the different scenarios the fire brigade practices throughout the year.

The Valdez Marine Terminal Fire Brigade consists of 60 professional firefighters. Sixteen are full-time firefighters contracted through Doyon Universal Services and 44 are trained Alyeska technicians who provide fire and rescue services on the terminal. Several of these men and women also volunteer for their local community’s fire service as well.

Alyeska has six pieces of fire and rescue apparatus and one ambulance on the terminal. All are utilized and kept ready for emergency response events. The fire brigade is a key part of Alyeska’s emergency response team. The team must be prepared to quickly respond to every possible contingency scenario. Ideally, this fire team would never be needed. But it must always be ready. That’s why Valdez Marine Terminal firefighters follow a strict, year-round training regimen that includes weekly fire practice at the terminal facility and quarterly field exercises. Every member of the brigade must also complete a biannual fire academy training course.

I hope you will join me congratulating the fire brigade team.

• Kathy Zinn is the director of Alyeska’s Valdez Marine Terminal

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