Firefighters sharpen hazmat skills at Dry Fork Station

Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station (Dry Fork), located near Gillette, Wyoming, became a crucial training ground on Nov. 6 when employees welcomed students from the Campbell County Fire Department and Cheyenne Fire Rescue  for a hands-on training exercise to refine emergency response skills.

The Hazardous Materials Technician Course, held from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8, was requested by the Campbell County Fire Department through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Hazmat Training Department. Dry Fork was selected as a training site due to its anhydrous ammonia system, making it ideal for a hazardous materials scenario.

“Our role was to simulate a ‘real world’ event with communication and equipment specifications,” Ashley Fraser, senior safety coordinator at Dry Fork, said. Fraser and Matt Dobrovolny, fuel/water supervisor at the plant, briefed the 16 students on the hazards and processes conducted at the facility, including the emergency protocols and equipment available on-site.  The students then responded to a simulated ammonia release at the station using a fog machine.  The scenario required them to communicate closely with subject matter experts to identify and close the correct plant valves to mitigate the emergency.

“Understanding these industry processes takes the students to a higher level of critical thinking that is required for their new assignments,” IAFF hazmat instructors wrote in an after-action report. “All of the students commented on how this opportunity provided them with an expanded insight into how a successful response plan would be developed and the proper questions to ask in order to obtain critical strategic information.”

 “We have a great relationship with our fire department and local emergency officials and take opportunities like this for training when we can,” Fraser said. Because of this partnership, Dry Fork has hosted several training exercises over the years. “Training scenarios provide many learning opportunities that help us with safety, communication, and preparedness.”