Emergency rescue training is essential to Simplot’s ongoing commitment to safety (though we hope we never need to use it.) Recently, when employees at our Grand Forks, North Dakota potato plant reviewed their rescue plan, they determined it would be beneficial to hold a rescue drill in the facility’s high bay freezer with the Grand Forks Fire Department. The high bay freezer is a 13-story cold storage facility for Simplot’s finished product like french fries, tater gems and hashbrowns.
Rescue Drill Helps Simplot and Firefighters Prepare for the Unexpected
December 07, 2024
The Grand Forks Fire Department welcomed the opportunity to partner with Simplot and was excited to train for and practice high angle rescues. Simplot employees were also enthusiastic about bringing the two groups together. “A simulation like this would be invaluable for a successful rescue if there was an emergency in that specialized building,” said Simplot Senior Safety Manager Lauren Rose.
When drill day arrived, firefighters and Simplot employees were ready to practice their skills in a carefully designed rescue scenario. It involved lowering a manikin hanging from the first level of the high bay freezer, with a crane parked in front of the exit to make access to the area more complicated. As in the drill scenario, in the event of an actual emergency the fire department would perform the rescue, with Simplot’s plant supervisors playing a crucial role in incident command.
To accomplish the rescue, firefighters placed the manikin onto a backboard, then put it on a pallet. They then slid the pallet to the floor’s edge and lowered it to the ground. Finally, they moved the manikin and backboard under the crane to remove it from the low-oxygen environment of the freezer.
The first rescue took 50 minutes to complete. The second was significantly faster, with the rescuers more comfortable navigating the environment. “This practice and familiarity with the facility should lead to more efficient and effective rescues if ever necessary in the future,” Rose pointed out. “These drills gave everyone valuable experience in emergency response and their responsibilities in ensuring a successful rescue.”
Simplot is grateful for the longtime, strong relationships we have with first responders in the many communities where we operate. Our partnerships with these professionals – such as the Grand Forks Fire Department – help us be as prepared as possible if there is ever a need for an emergency rescue at one of our facilities.
