During the day-long exercise, several scenarios were run to help coordinate the operations of multiple units. One scenario was a leaking tanker shell causing release of oleum into the air. Some of the tasks performed by the units were to contain the toxic cloud and deploy curtains supplied with water from hoses spread over two kilometres. A simultaneous evacuation of the injured was conducted. The drill also included sealing the tanker with a patch and discharging the tank content. Another scenario was a search for injured people in a damaged building. Trained dogs from the Special Search and Rescue Team from Nowy Sącz excelled at this task. The Tarnów Technical Rescue Team was responsible for securing the scene.   

The exercise, code-named AZOTY 2021, brought together firefighters of Grupa Azoty S.A.’s Company Fire Brigade, the National Emergency and Firefighting Services and the Kraków Regional Brigade units, including the Tarnów 1 Specialist Chemical and Environmental Rescue Team, Tarnów Specialist Technical Rescue Team, Nowy Sącz Specialist Search and Rescue Team, DRAGON II Firefighting Company, and the Provincial Operations Reserve Team of the Tarnów Firefighting Company.

‘This is a major event contributing to the safety of our company. We hold drills with external partners: the State Fire Service, the Provincial Headquarters and Voluntary Fire Brigades, every few years. As a high-risk industrial plant, we use these events to see what third-party support we can count on in case of emergency. I am impressed by the firefighters’ skills. It is clear all units are fully prepared to handle all types of tasks and emergencies,’ said Zbigniew Paprocki, Member of the Management Board and CEO of Grupa Azoty S.A.

Regular drills run jointly by Grupa Azoty S.A.’s Company Fire Brigade, the Provincial Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Kraków and the Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Tarnów, allow the company to fulfil its statutory obligation under the Environmental Protection Law to test in practice the procedures of its operations and rescue plans.  To note, the practical drills were preceded by tabletop exercises attended by several dozen people representing local governments,
uniformed services, and other entities.

‘For Grupa Azoty S.A., this was an extremely valuable and important exercise. Our unit operates at a chemical plant where compliance with safety regulations is a fundamental priority. We are pleased to have received a positive assessment from the observer of the Provincial Headquarters of the State Fire Service. We have passed the test on all fronts: team work, management personnel and infrastructure preparation in case of a major industrial accident, as well as the conduct of rescue operations. I sincerely thank all participants for their commitment and dedication,’
said Jacek Zapart, Chief Officer of Grupa Azoty S.A.’s Company Fire Brigade.