While policies and procedures are fundamental components of a robust safety strategy, the tangible benefits of having an emergency rescue team in the chemical industry are substantial.
The ability to provide immediate, skilled, and coordinated responses to emergencies significantly enhances overall safety, reduces the impact of incidents, and fosters a culture of proactive preparedness and resilience.
These teams play a vital role in emergency preparedness, incident management, and regulatory compliance, thereby reinforcing the industry’s commitment to safety and responsibility.
Additionally, they provide benchmarking opportunities and boost employee engagement, ultimately strengthening the overall safety culture.
Introduction
In 2023, inspired by our director Mr. Sunish Nair’s unwavering commitment to ensure zero harm to everyone affiliated with Tagros and the wider community, Tagros launched the ERT Championship, featuring three elite teams composed of the finest ERT members from each unit of Tagros Gujarat. These teams competed not to undermine their opponents but to demonstrate their individual prowess in handling emergencies under any circumstances.
Inspired by the enthusiasm from last year’s stellar performances by ERT members, this year’s championship featured five ERT teams, emphasizing the organizations commitment to safety and emergency preparedness.
Event Overview
The event aimed to test and enhance the emergency response capabilities of each team through a series of challenging scenarios that simulated real-life chemical emergencies.
Rules for ERT Competition: Setting rules for ERT competition ensured fairness, promoted safety, and enhanced skill development. Clear regulations create a standardized framework, fostering equity and maintaining competition integrity.
To ensure objective judgment and expert evaluation, we engaged external judges who identified shortcomings in the ERT members and provided recommendations for improvement. The esteemed judges who are renowned for their expertise in the field of emergency response, Mr. M.B. Patel, General Manager of the Dahej Industrial Association; Mr. Hitesh Shah, Manager of the Dahej Industrial Association; and Mr. Anup Tiwari, Chief Technical Officer of Loss Control Service were invited.
- 100 mtr (50+50) sprint (running) with fire extinguisher: Total 20% weightage of competition Incorporating sprinting in ERT competition enhances physical fitness, team coordination, and readiness, ensuring that emergency responders are well prepared for the physical and mental demands of real emergencies.
2. Main Drill: Total 60% weightage of competition
This event consisted of 6 sub events-
- Use of Fire Extinguisher for Effective control of Two Tray Fire: This scenario tests the team’s skill in quickly extinguishing fires with the correct extinguishing medias, emphasizing the importance of preventing larger disasters, reducing property damage, and saving lives through effective fire control.
- Rescue of Casualty from collapsed structure by crawling method & shifting him/her to OHC (occupational health centre): This scenario is critical for testing the team’s skills in search and rescue operations within confined and potentially unstable environments. The crawling method ensures the rescuer’s safety while reaching a trapped casualty. Properly moving the casualty to an OHC is crucial for providing immediate medical attention, which can be lifesaving.
- Fire Hose Operation from height & hitting the target (approx. 6mts): Operating fire hoses from heights tests the team’s coordination, strength, and precision, essential for effectively controlling multi-story building fires.
- Chlorine tonner leakage from valve – Heavy leakage & mitigation actions: Chlorine leaks pose severe health risks; this scenario tests the team’s ability to quickly identify and mitigate a hazardous material leak, ensuring personnel and environmental safety, preventing contamination.
- Chemical Tanker Leak Arrest (On the spot decision based on Emergency Information Panel): This scenario assesses the team’s ability to make rapid, informed decisions based on the EIP. Quick and correct decisions are crucial in preventing the spread of hazardous chemicals, protecting public health, and minimizing environmental impact.
Corrosive & Toxic Material Drum Spillage Mitigation using spill control kit: Spills of corrosive and toxic materials can cause immediate and long-term health risks. This scenario tests the team’s ability to use spill control kits to contain and neutralize hazardous spills. Effective spillage mitigation is essential for preventing injuries, environmental contamination, and ensuring workplace safety.
Quiz Competition: Total 20% weightage of competition: A quiz competition in an ERT championship is crucial as it assesses theoretical knowledge, sharpens decision-making under pressure, ensures preparedness, highlights areas for improvement, promotes teamwork and communication, and boosts confidence by reinforcing readiness for real-life emergencies.
ERT Champion
The event culminated in a prize distribution ceremony to honour the winning team. This significant moment was crucial in recognizing and celebrating the immense effort, dedication, and energy that the team invested in the competition. By formally acknowledging their hard work and exceptional performance, the ceremony served not only to reward their achievements but also to inspire and motivate all participants to continue striving for excellence in their emergency response capabilities.
