The critical need to maintain a high standard of emergency services response within Qatalum requires as a component, suitable mutual aid infrastructure. Therefore, combined exercises are one of the most effective methods of preparation for emergency incidents.
On the 30th of October 2013, in accordance with the Industrial Cities Directorate Drill Schedule, Qatalum with the participation of MIC Fire Brigade and Qatar Steel Fire Brigade conducted a mutual aid exercise at the pitch facility in the Qatalum silo area.
The term ‘Mutual Aid’ in this context refers to the joint participation by different fire brigades within a given jurisdiction, in this case MIC (Mesaieed Industrial Area) to assist with emergency response as the need arises determined by the authority having jurisdiction - Qatalum.
Various representatives from different companies within MIC as well as personnel from the Industrial Cities Emergency Control Centre (ICECC) were invited as observers for this exercise.
(Pic.1) Chief Quality & HSE Officer Kurt Nilsson present at the exercise, (Pic.2) External and internal observers evaluating the performance of the exercise
(Pic1 ) Emergency Management Superintendent Tobias Wiese as Qatalum , (Pic.2) Department Manager HSSE, Deon Earle demonstrating visible leadership representative and assessor
The purpose of this exercise was to test the initial emergency response of Qatalum to an incident at the Silo Area and the emergency response and support of Mutual Aid Partners during a Tier II event in this case Qatar Steel. The scope of the exercise was to evaluate preparedness of Qatalum and its Mutual Aid Partners. The exercise itself was conducted through a simulated scenario within the pitch storage tanks.
Due to a fault and over pressurizing of the Heat Treatment Medium (HTM) lines on top of the pitch tanks, there was a sudden failure of pump seals on tanks, causing highly flammable HTM leaking out onto the roof of both tanks and causing running fires down the sides of the tanks and in the bund around the tanks.
Performance criteria were evaluated in order to determine the proficiency of emergency response which included, Area Evacuation, Emergency Control Room Operations, Incident Command and Control and Agency Interoperability.
(Pic.1) Qatalum fire trucks on route to the scene, (Pic.2)Coordination amongst the fire crews
Mutual aid partner, Qatar Steel arriving at the designated emergency service reporting point
Qatalum fire fighters preparing for the incident including the Incident commander who would manages the incident along with the site incident controller
(Pic.1) Qatar Steel fire crew, Pic.2) MIC fire crew in participation.
The mutual aid partners coordinating their efforts during the exercise
The exercise took approximately one hour excluding the pre exercise briefing and post exercise debriefing. The post-exercise debriefing provided the opportunity for observers and participants to voice their observations and recommendations. In the past exercises it was determined that comments and observations made were very constructive and action points were noted and acted upon by the MIC Emergency Response Coordination Forum. Furthermore, assessment documents were forwarded electronically to all observers for completion and submission.
(pic.1) The operations debrief on site conducted by the incident commander, (Pic.2) Post exercise debrief conducted by the observers with senior fire safety representation from Qatar Steel, MIC and Qatalum.
Based on observations made during the post-exercise debriefing, recommendations are as follows:
- That entry control and accountability procedures be standardized to ensure adequate understanding between mutual aid partners in order to ensure interoperability when required
- That Qatalum Fire Service be provided with a vehicle adequately marked and equipped to serve as a command vehicle
- That a standardized approach be followed by Security Services with regard to access control and barricading to ensure suitable support during emergencies
- That the poor radio reception experienced during the exercise be addressed
Within Qatalum’s proactive values HSE issues are given top priority and this is reflected in Qatalum’s consistently excellent safety record. Furthermore, the need for continual improvement in emergency related performance can only be done through exercises and assessments and appropriating suitable actions which can directly determine the outcome in actual emergencies. The desire for continuous improvement of the emergency services and the tireless pursuit towards zero harm fulfils Qatalum’s strategic focus towards operational excellence.
