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W.R.Grace and Eurotainer Supports the New York Fire Department Training Academy

Artide by Vitaly Volfson (W.R.Grace) and Chris Dały (Eurotainer)

ON AUGUST 26, 2014, the New York City Fire Department Training Academy held a christening ceremony to inaugurate a newly constructed Shipboard Firefighting Simulator.

"In a city with 520 miles of coastline, and highly active shipping and tourism industries, the possibility of shipboard fires is real and present - making this Simulator an incredibly important training tool for our members and the entire region," sald FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro who presided over the ceremony.

Shipboard fires pose unigue challenges to firefighters because of the layout, resłricted

crew responsibilities and water supply challenges, as well as potential hazardous materials on board of the ships. To meet this need the FDNY commissioned the construction of a Shipboard Firefighting Simulator. This model of a ship, buflr on the FDNY Training Academy grounds is four stories high and 132 feet long. It was constructed to re-create the treacherous conditions aboord a flaming and in distress vessel. The total cost of the Simulator was $3.3 million and was funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Port Security Grant Program.

Working in support of the TRANSCAER® initiath/e, W.R.Grace (a Chemical Manufocturer) and Eurotainer (an intermodal tank Container leosing company) donated three ISO tank containers to the FDNY Academy for use with the new Simulator. Now, in addition to being able to simulate engine room fires, on deck fires, electrical fires and galley (kitchen) fires, the FDNY's Haz-Mat Battalion can practice emergency procedures related to fires and leaks from Chemical tank containers.

Two of the tanks donated by Eurotainer ore gas seruice tanks and the one donated by Grace is a T22 equivalent pressure rated tank. Both types of tanks have very different valving configurations and access points, giving the FDNY a variety of different tanks to train with. The donations helped FDNY to save over a $100,000 of the FEMAfunds that can be used elsewhere at the Academy.

Both organizations are very happy for the opportunity to help the FDNY while supporting the TRANSCAER® initiative and look forward to futurę opportunities to provide support. ■