Georgia Pacific MERT UPDATE:

NEW MERT EMPLOYEES:

            Please welcome FIVE new MERT employees to the team.  Todd Kuhnhausen, Jon Russell, Aaron Auseth, Tony Mattison, and Bill Spring have all expressed their desire to join our team.  I anticipate nothing but good things with each one of these people.  They not only bring to us intimate knowledge of the areas of the mill they work in, but new and fresh incite on how we are operating.  Each one of these individuals have expressed their desire to become increasingly valuable to MERT and an important part of providing capable, proficient, and safe emergency services to the employees of the Camas Mill.

2006 Volunteer Firefighting Recruit Academy:

            All five 2006 MERT employees are attending this year’s East County Recruit Academy.  This training session is sponsored by Washougal Fire Department, Camas Fire Department, East County Fire and Rescue, and Georgia Pacific Emergency Services.  The most important aspect of having our MERT employees attend this time intensive process is to have them exposed to how surrounding fire departments operate and be able to apply some of those same principals to MERT through training and application.  Even though GP is a bit different in that we pay the per-hour rate to the employees while training, it is still ad HUGE commitment to maintain.

            In addition to those folks training, GP employees also provide important training to outlying firefighters who are providing valuable services to their communities.  Chris Newman, Day Durrett, and I are all part of sharing training with East County.  This allows for a win-win situation for them and for us here at MERT.   We are involved with providing basic rope training along with fire behavior using a live-fire training prop at Station 9-3.  This flash-over training is critical to “expose” employees to elevated heat and hostile conditions while working on structure fires.

LIVE FIRE TRAINING:

          January 16-20 brought MERT a week long training session for live-fire training.  This portion of training is one of the basic necessities as to why MERT exists in the first place.   We had the HUGE opportunity to conduct a live-fire burn with one of our own buildings slated for demolition.  To my knowledge, this is the FIRST time an industrial fire department has had the opportunity to burn down a structure for training.  Not to mention such a huge 6-plex.  EVERYBODY conducted themselves with the highest level of professionalism.  This allowed us to conduct this operation without any serious injuries.  On top of that, we were able to enjoy yet another opportunity to share resources with the City of Camas and training TOGETHER.   It is for that reason; GP MERT continues to be not only critical to the operation of the Camas Mill, but an important part of the community.  We must always make sure whenever we service all our customers, (ourselves, GP, and the community) that we are meeting ALL safety requirements and procedures set for by SOP’s and the scope of work we’re doing.  YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!

HAZMAT TRAINING:

            February marked another year to acquire hazardous material technician training.  MERT conducted 40 hours of internal training that meets and exceeds state requirements.  With 24 hours of “back to basics” in the classrooms, all MERT employees were again exposed to a lot of information that is often forgotten over time.  Coupled with classroom, MERT employees conducted several hands-on drill scenarios using full ppe and the assortment of tools associated with hazmat response.

            I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the how these hands on drills were accomplished with my absence.  I cannot tell you how great that makes me feel.  I have a HUGE amount of pride with MERT.  And I am ever-so-thankful to all of you for keeping up the pace and drilling like you’d do in a real scenario.

UPCOMING TRAINING:

The last REQUIRED training session for the year is coming up in March. In that session, we will be doing a “first” by having someone other than I provide the teaching.  Ron and Rory Martindale will be challenged with the task of providing confined space rescue training to the MERT team.  Not only will they be challenged with conducting that week-long training, but they will have to be extremely “creative” with how it’s delivered.  They have a plan that I believe you will not only enjoy, but you will be extremely glad we’ve spend the time and money to allow them some new skills to give you top notch training for proficiency.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

            Squad 23-1:   The truck is at the shop in Longview.  Mallory is installing the new pump we previously owned and re-plumbing all the piping.  This will include all new valves for pre-connects.  It will also include a “foam” eduction unit to increase our capability to suppress more structure fire potentials along with hazardous materials and liquid fuel problems.  When this truck comes back (by next Friday I hope), we will begin the necessary training for operation, equipment location, and DRIVING.  Although it is on a 1-ton truck frame, it handles different than most vehicles.  YOU MUST BE CHECKED OFF PRIOR TO DRIVING.  “Checked off” means, you know how to run the pump, how to use the equipment installed, and where each item “belongs”.

            Crisis Management:   I’m in the process of working on this emergency plan for the Camas Mill.  This biggest thing for you it to know that I’m also working to get all SOP’s in one place for each of you to have access to view at YOUR LEISURE.  Thus, so EVERYONE knows our SOP’s and can respond safer and more efficient to the customer.

            FIT Testing:  Yes, it’s coming up.  Reminder, you MUST be fit tested EACH YEAR.  By the way, thanks to all who are keeping the chins clear of facial hair.  It is important.  Unless, you can predict when you’ll be needing respirator ppe??????

            Station management:   THANK YOU!!!!  To each one of you who work so hard to keep the station clean and presentable.  Remember:  MERT is subject to safety inspections and are now on the list for even more on Thursday mornings.   If you see a safety issue, or the place is trashed, do what you can to correct it.

            Fire Extinguisher failure:   Converting had a small machine fire where two fire extinguishers failed.  So far, the investigation on the two NEW units has not uncovered a reason.  Day, Mark, and Wally are still looking into the situation.

            Fires:  I continue to get 3-4 fire incident reports per month.  #14 paper machine continues to be a chronic area.  Operation crews are doing what they can to prevent it.  But paper dust is, and can be, a dangerous hazard.

            Shirts/sweatshirts:  I will be placing an order this week to finish up the remainder of the shirts that did not get ordered.

            PPE:   Remember, to change the filters in your APR every six months ( and more if used)  I have more XXL level B suits on order and will be in shortly.  LEVEL A suits will be pressure tested this week to ensure they are not “degraded”.  All that fail will be replaced asap.

            In closing, I’m sure there is more on the list of items MERT is involved with.  Most importantly, I want to reiterate that “no person on this team is more important than the other”.  I continue to value EACH one of you for the knowledge and thought you bring to the table.   Always remember whey we’re here and help me choose to keep trudging along and “do the right thing”.  

Thanks for ALL YOU DO!!!

Wes