It is the task of the fire and rescue service to prevent fires and other accidents and the consequences thereof. Preventative measures are also a high priority for the fire and rescue service, which involves reducing societal risks while simultaneously preventing new accidents.
The work methods of the fire and rescue service can be explained in five steps:
1. Prevent accidents
The fire and rescue service’s work to prevent accidents occurs mainly through education, information and fire inspections.
At the Östrand pulp plant, there are exacting requirements to prevent accidents from occurring. The fire and rescue service participates in accident prevention efforts at Östrand by conducting regular inspections. In addition, they provide training and information to plant employees. Östrand also has a fully operational internal inspection process.
2. Injury prevention measures
It is important to work on injury prevention measures to minimize the consequences of a potential accident. The fire and rescue service provides training and information, conducts fire inspections and participates as an advisor on new construction and renovations at an early stage to ensure the best possible fire protection.
Numerous measures have been taken at the Östrand pulp plant to minimize the effects of a potential accident. For example, there are sprinklers and automatic fire alarms installed, as well as protective embankments around the tanks to prevent hazardous chemicals from leaking out.
3. Fire and rescue preparation efforts
Fire and rescue forces prepare themselves for rescue actions through education, exercises, physical training, study visits and response planning. Inspections of vehicles and materials are conducted daily or weekly to ensure that all equipment is functional.
Together with the Östrand pulp plant, the fire and rescue service has a joint rescue and response plan that aims to ensure that appropriate measures are taken in the event of serious fire or chemical accidents. Östrand also has its own well-trained response team that trains on a regular basis with the fire and rescue service.
4. Fire and rescue response
The fire and rescue service organization consists of two full-time stations in Sundsvall and Timrå, which can respond within 90 seconds, and seven part-time stations that can respond within five minutes. Altogether, there are 45 fire and rescue service personnel on standby year round at these stations.
Almost all alarms received at the SOS Alarm center from Östrand are automatic fire alarms, most of which are not caused by a fire. Östrand’s own response team is the first to act on all alarms within the plant area, serving until fire and rescue service personnel arrive on the scene.
5. Response follow-up
After every accident/response, it is important to conduct follow-up and evaluate more closely the causes and sequence of events to improve the ability to prevent and handle similar events in the future.
Together with police, the fire and rescue service conducts fire investigations to determine the cause of a fire. In addition, the fire and rescue service conducts so-called residual value rescue where smoke, water and corrosion damage are dealt with. Employees at Östrand also investigate any accidents, incidents or fires that occur at the plant.