round the Clock - Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco’s FrPDBY JAMSHEED DINhe organization has nearly 1,400 employees and 277 volunteers who aredispersed between 44 company fire stations across the length and breadthof the Kingdom. “The nature of Saudi Aramco’s business means that effectiveand highly trained firefighters are a necessity,” said Mozher Al-Qahtani, supervisorof the company’s Advanced Fire Training Center (AFTC).14 Dimensions International

Our job is to make sure employees and their dependentsare safe — that’s our top priority,” he added.The department, as we know it today, was officiallyestablished in 1981. Prior to this, all companyfire stations reported to their assignedrefineries and plants.The Fire Protection Department (FrPD)firefighters are required to undergo rigoroustraining before they are giventhe responsibility of protecting SaudiAramco facilities and its people.The training is delivered at the internationallyrecognized Advanced FireTraining Center (AFTC) in Ju’aymah,which is supported by 14 other traininggrounds around the Kingdom.The center, built in 2005, boasts facilitiesunmatched by most fire departmentsaround the globe.Left: The simulation of real fires means thatsafety procedures are followed strictly at the AFTC.Above: The AFTC building contains classroomswhere firefighters take rigorous theoretical examsto complement their practical training.Right: Firefighters operate a foam master stream toconfine and extinguish a training fire in process equipment.Dimensions International 15

Above: The AFTC boasts structures that resemblea refinery and hydrocarbon plant and cansimulate fires on any type of process unit.Left: Teamwork and technique are key toextinguishing fires under high pressu e. rRecruits are put through a difficultnine-month program that is accreditedby Pro Board. This international recognitionmeans the FrPD graduates arequalified to serve in any fire departmentin the world that uses the NationalFire Protection Association’s (NFPA)Professional Qualification Standards —widely regarded as the best around.At the center, the stakes are high. Onlythose who pass the practical and theoreticalexams will go on to become firefighters.“Our curriculum is internationally recognized,so only the best qualify,” saidAl-Qahtani. “There are no second chances duringan emergency — what’s at stake is the safetyof Saudi Aramco’s facilities and its people. Our firefightershave to be the best.”One of those firefighters is 22-year-old Amer Garalti, atop-scoring graduate of AFTC.16 Dimensions International

FrPD: Promoting fire safety Kingdomwide“Our job isto make sureemployees andtheir dependentsare safe — that’sour top priority.”Below: Trainees can practice putting out fires onthe deck of a vessel.Saudi Aramco’s Fire Protection Department (FrPD) continuesto provide the best in class service and promoting firesafety to employees and the public. In 2011, FrPD conductedthe annual fire prevention week companywide, in which theinvolvement of company employees and their dependentsreflected the great benefit this campaign continues to provide.FrPD has also participated in many company and publicsafety campaigns to promote fire safety whenever possible.12,500 attended fire prevention week activities companywide.In addition to the numerous workshops and trainingcourses for employees and management, FrPD conducted abi-monthly safety campaign throughout 2011 on the differentrisks and hazards associated with day to day activities that arethe main causes of employee injuries and fatalities.FrPD have also pursued the mission of finalizing a mutualaid agreement with Civil Defense Authorities Kingdomwidethrough conducting 40 joint training and emergency drillswith Civil Defense. This is in addition to FrPD’s continuation ofreceiving and providing the necessary assistance during realemergencies.Through the Government Schools’ outreach program,in coordination with Community Services Department andGovernment Affairs, FrPD has been able to educate children ofdifferent ages about the various fire-related hazards they mayencounter and must be aware of.Dimensions International 17

“I had no idea what the training would be like. It wasn’t like Ihad expected — the course is very competitive and there is a creativeenvironment,” he said.Garalti’s instructors were impressed with his attitude and topmarks, and he now assists in training at the AFTC, helping toguide aspiring recruits through the demanding program.“In order to pass you have to study hard and practice theskills you have learned, until you master the procedures. Thecourse is very practical, so everything you learn is put into practice.AFTC has taken me from scratch and developed me into aprofessional firefighter,” commented Garalti.The centerpiece of the ATFC is the 5,000 square meterIntegrated Process Unit, or IPU. The giant structure resembles arefinery and hydrocarbon plant, and can simulate fires on anytype of process unit, both onshore and offshore.On the other side of the complex is the Integrated Structural“They knowthey have trustedfirefighters whoare trained to thehighest levels.”Above: Firefighters apply foamto a leaking flange on anoutdoor pump.Right: The 5,000 square meterIntegrated Process Unit is thecenter piece of the AFTC.18 Dimensions International

Complex (ISC) where recruits are trained to deal with interiorstructural fires, including shipboard fires and residential fires.The center also trains various Saudi Aramco organizations,such as the Marine and Offshore Departments, in firefightingtechniques and procedures.The complex scenarios practiced at the AFTC mean thatFrPD firefighters are equipped, both mentally and physically, todeal with any emergency situation.“The fact that our firefighters are trained to internationalstandards is a great source of comfort to the rest of our colleaguesacross Saudi Aramco,” commented Al-Qahtani.“They know they have trusted firefighters who are trained tothe highest levels,” he added.FrPD’s work, however, goes well beyond just responding toemergencies, with specialist teams developing public informationand education programs. “We understand that preventionand education are equally important factors for keeping everyonesafe,” said Al-Qahtani.“So we have several educational and outreach programs,which we use to promote our safety messages — our job is tokeep Saudi Aramco and its people safe, and we do that throughwhichever way we can.”FrPD is ready 24-hours a dayFrom the Yanbu’ refinery on the West Coast to the Shaybahcomplex deep in the Rub‘ al Khali (Empty Quarter), SaudiAramco’s Fire Protection Department (FrPD) units are ready24-hours a day, every day, to deal with any emergency.With safety listed as a major company imperative, it’s nosurprise that the FrPD is one of the largest and best equippedfire departments in the world, with more than 158 emergencyvehicles at its disposal.Dimensions International 19

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