| Shell Chemical LP wins national achievement award
Shell Deer Park was one of several Shell Chemical facilities to receive a national achievement award for participating in Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) initiatives and going beyond the normal call of duty to advocate for the organization’s principles.
The 2005 TRANSCAER National Achievement Award recognizes accomplishments beyond a single region by an individual person, company, organization or a team of individuals, companies or organizations.
TRANSCAER recognized Shell Chemical for its Deer Park, Norco, Geismar and Houston response action teams, whose members taught numerous free training classes in Texas, Alabama and Louisiana. The teams often give up their weekends to share hazardous materials instruction and response procedures with volunteer firefighters.
In determining award winners, TRANSCAER took into account board and committee involvement as well. Mike Boaze, Shell Deer Park emergency response coordinator, currently works with the TRANSCAER training committee, and Dale Taggart, Deer Park Chemical staff analytical chemist, has helped stage response drills.
“It is very rewarding to provide fire departments with training on how to respond to transportation emergencies,” says Boaze. “Many of those who are located away from the Houston Ship Channel area struggle with how to deal with hazardous materials incidents and how to get help when they occur. I think this is an awesome program that fire departments with limited funding can capitalize on.”
Nancy White, TRANSCAER staff executive, acknowledged Shell’s contributions: “Shell Chemical organized or assisted with multiple events that trained more than 215 responders on hazardous materials awareness, emergency response and railroad operations,” she says. “In the true spirit of TRANSCAER, Shell Chemical encouraged citizens, industry and responders to work together to fully understand and prepare for emergencies. This partnership is the cornerstone of the TRANSCAER effort.”
TRANSCAER falls under the umbrella of Responsible Care, which is the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) award-winning environment, health, safety and security performance improvement initiative. The business practices of ACC members and Responsible Care Partners are considered preferred environmental performance models.
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