A new training course to prepare the Oil and Gas Industry for the impacts of wildfire

Wildfire is a reality in Alberta’s forests and grasslands and the impacts on oil and gas industry can be harsh and far reaching, as evidenced by many of the significant wildfires of the last 10 years. From the high-profile fires of Slave Lake, Fort McMurray and the massive fires of BC, to the many low-profile wildfires that have impacted oil and gas facilities, threatened personnel and even delayed production. As the impacts of these wildfires have taken their toll, the Government of Alberta has responded and recently amended the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. The government can now levy a $1,000,000.00 fine plus suppression costs, to any corporation that negligently starts a wildfire in Alberta’s forests and grasslands. Proper training and education can help to mitigate the high-risk activities (flaring gas, burning brush piles, ATV use) of the oil and gas industry and prevent the accidental start of wildfires. Our training can also help in preparing field level staff and supervisors to deal with the direct threat of wildfire to their facilities and personnel safety.

Phoenix Wildfire and Environmental, is now offering an Industrial Wildfire Training Course for the oil and gas industry in Western Canada, to prepare for the impacts of these wildfires. The single-day course is tailored to meet your specific concerns of how wildfire may impact your company. The program is designed to be brought right to your field offices and delivered on the very sites that may experience wildfire events. The course may also be presented in an office downtown to supervisory staff and executives, to assist in high level planning for wildfire events and potential liabilities. The classroom training is interactive and engaging and will give staff real world solutions to deal with the impacts of wildfire.

** Field staff typically do not have the specific training necessary to deal with a wildfire burning in the vegetation surrounding their work site. **

This course will address many questions that industry may have:

• What should my staff do if they start a wildfire? Is it safe for them to suppress it?
• Who does my staff contact when a wildfire is discovered near one of my facilities?
• How will my field staff determine when it is not safe to stay on site and to evacuate?
• How can my company prevent starting wildfires?
• How can my field staff safely use current on-site suppression equipment against an accidental wildfire start?
• How does current wildfire legislation apply to my company?
• How can we create a safety zone if forced to shelter on site in a major forest or grass fire event?
• Will we have to shut in the facility in a wildfire event?
• How do I get essential staff into a facility to keep it productive, after a wildfire event?
• Many more topics.

The course is targeting companies that perform hot-work or employ fire related activities on the landscape, such as flare stacks, ATV use, brush pile burning, welding etc. This may include for example: drilling or compressor sites that flare gas, survey crews that ride ATV’s or pipeline and wellsite construction companies that burn brush in Alberta’s forests and grasslands. We will train on all aspects of how to deal with an accidental start and how to prevent them from occurring. For supervisors and executives, we will discuss how to include wildfire in your Emergency Response Plans, assistance in creating your Fire Control Plans for Agriculture and Forestry or landscape and site level planning to mitigate wildfire impact.

Please contact Phoenix Wildfire and Environmental to schedule your training course today.

Phone: 1-403-845-0532.

Email: phoenixfireandland@gmail.com