HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell
(NYSE: LYB), one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and
refining companies, announced a donation of $100,000 to fund specialized emergency training
for six Houston-area fire
departments that serve key industrial corridors.
The donation will underwrite hazardous materials (HazMat)
training scholarships for fire departments in Houston, Channelview, Pasadena, La
Porte, Sheldon and Mont Belvieu. Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service (TEEX), an internationally-recognized leader in
emergency response training and firefighting, will administer the
training to the fire departments.
"We recognize the challenges fire departments in Houston and smaller outlying communities face
in obtaining this unique type of training. We believe in being a
responsible, good neighbor where we operate and are pleased we can
help in saving lives and protecting our communities," said
Bob Patel, LyondellBasell CEO and
chairman of the management board. "We are honored to play a small
role in ensuring that the brave men and women who put their lives
on the line every day are even better prepared to safely do their
jobs."
The greater Houston area is
home to many industrial facilities including refineries, storage
terminals and chemical plants that handle a variety of materials
and products. The TEEX courses will train firefighters specifically
in handling incidents involving different hazardous materials that
require specialized response tactics.
According to Houston Mayor
Sylvester Turner, the training
provided by the scholarship donation is an essential resource that
will help prepare area fire departments for all types of
emergencies.
"This donation will go a long way toward better equipping our
firefighters with the expertise they need when responding to
industrial related emergencies," said Turner. "LyondellBasell
is such a wonderful community partner. They never hesitate to step
forward to help out. I want to thank them for their
generosity."
The LyondellBasell donation will provide more than 1,200 hours
of instruction in TEEX's HazMat training program. Fire departments
will have the option of attending classes either at the Brayton
Fire Training Field in College Station,
Texas, or onsite at their fire stations using TEEX's mobile
training units.
"This generous donation by LyondellBasell will help enhance the
region's operational and hazardous materials response readiness.
With Houston being the 'energy
capital of the world,' it is important that we stay up to date with
the dynamic arena that is hazardous materials," said Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña. "I would like
to thank Mayor Turner and Bob Patel
for their leadership and commitment to our area fire
departments."
The donation of HazMat training is LyondellBasell's most recent
effort to partner with and support local first responders. The
company regularly coordinates with fire departments and other
mutual aid groups to cross train at its facilities in order to
increase overall response effectiveness. The company also donated
funds to purchase essential safety equipment for Harris County Sheriff's Industrial Unit
Deputies, tactical vests for the Houston Police Department, and three rescue
boats for the Houston Fire
Department.
About LyondellBasell
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one
of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies,
with more than 4,000 employees in the greater Houston area and 13,000 employees worldwide.
LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items
that improve the quality of life for people around the world
including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home
furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. More
information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.lyb.com.
About Texas A&M Engineering Extension
Service
TEEX is an internationally recognized leader in the
delivery of emergency response, homeland security and workforce
training, technical assistance and economic development. Last year,
TEEX served more than 168,000 people from every U.S. state and
territory and 82 countries worldwide. TEEX makes a difference by
providing training, developing practical solutions and saving
lives. More information about TEEX can be found at
www.teex.org.
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SOURCE LyondellBasell