Through fire and water
JSC “Nefteorgsintez”, one of major plants in Orsk, is a fire and explosion hazardous plant. For Oil and Gas Company “RussNeft”, owner of ”Nefteorgsintez”, safety is one of the priorities which are given special attention. It is quite understandable, for people’s lives and health are in question. And we speak not only about the employees of the refinery, but about the inhabitants of neighboring districts as well.
Fire and gas safety of the petrochemists is guarded by LLC “Zashchita” (“Protection”). “Nefteorgsintez” allocate substantial financial means for logistics accomplishment of the fire-fighting division. During the last years the vehicle park has been considerably renewed and now it counts 19 units, what neither fire-fighting division of the city, and even of the whole East Orenburg Region can boast of.
Equipment of the firemen includes a 7 ton tank car. It is charged with special foaming agent “Petrofilm” which is used for stiffing petrochemicals in reservoirs. A cranked lifting device, a hose truck, a fire-fighting pump truck – a long list. The latter one is especially important for it is mentioned for supply of a large quantity of fire-extinguishing agents. The powerful pump supplies 110 litres per sec. One more fire-fighting pump truck, a more upgraded and mobile one, is to be delivered in near future. The machinery is the best in the city, from the point of view of both maintenance and modification.
Naturally, it is expensive, nevertheless, money is not begrudged for it. This year “RussNeft” approved allocation of the sum of eight million rubles for purchasing fire-fighting equipment and special fire protection means.
In the city and even in the region many people have heard about the unique feature of the plant – heat-and-smoke chamber. It is permanently used for training of both the firemen and the plant staff. The latter measure is not just a fancy of the administration, but a real necessity. Petrochemists have to be well trained and be able to act competently in extreme situations, and the heat-and-smoke chamber is a good help for this.
It evident that only reliable, qualified personnel can be entrusted with modern equipment. The people of “Zashchita” are well aware of this fact and select their recruits very carefully. According to Ivan Sereda, Director, preference is given to well educated, (secondary technical school as minimum), physically trained people. It is not a secret that the requirements are very strict, but there is no other solution.
Novices’ training is like army basic training: nobody is spared. But, naturally, anything may happen. Once “Zashchita” employed a guy who had worked for two weeks and then declared: “Sorry, it’s not my job”. It could have been worse if he had chosen to stay. It’s difficult to predict his behavior in emergencies and the consequences of it.
For some years already “Zashchita” provides a base for the filial training center of fire-fighting divisions of the EMERCOM of East Orenburg Region. Why was it chosen for this purpose? The explanation is easy. “Zashchita” features all the necessary conditions for firemen’s training, its material base meets all the requirements. Qualified teachers are ready to share their knowledge and experience. To be short, “Zashchita”’s standing is good.
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the organization is a real help for the city. It is only in 2006 that the fire-fighters were called up for liquidation of fire, salvation of people’s lives. And they constantly demonstrated high professional level.
M. GEORGIEV