Blawnox VFC staying focused on emergency preparedness

When a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Harmar nearly three years ago, thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled into Guys Run headed for the Allegheny River.

Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company was among the first to respond, helping to boom the area and keep the toxic materials contained.

Chief Jeff Stephens said his crew is ready if, or more likely when, it happens again. That’s thanks in part to an $11,000 grant to purchase a containment boom and gas meter to boost emergency preparedness. A containment boom is a temporary floating barrier used to contain oil spills in water. They’re used to reduce the risk of pollution and make it easier to recover oils.

“The boom is invaluable in case there’s a spill on the river,” he said. “We can deploy it to hold back any fluids that would otherwise seep into the river.”

Money for the equipment came through Norfolk Southern’s Thriving Communities and Safety First grant program, which awarded $87,000 to a handful of groups in the Pittsburgh region.

“The grants were created to support organizations that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce and build strong, resilient communities in the 22 states where we operate,” said Kristin Wong, Norfolk Southern’s director of community impact.

Specifically, the program is designed to enhance public safety with a focus on emergency preparedness, disaster response and community safety training, Wong said.

“Blawnox VFC was selected because their team works tirelessly to prevent and prepare for emergencies and ensure that community members get home safely each day,” Wong said.

Every week, for example, the crew trains for various incidents. On Jan. 28, they had a hazardous material refresher.

“We have to take that class every year,” Stephens said. “There are different types of hazardous materials outfits and the type of incident would dictate which suit you would wear.”

During the summer months, the department sometimes holds training on the water.

Stephens, chief for six years, said the purchase of a containment boom is significant because Blawnox runs a Level 2a Swiftwater Team. It was the first team in the state to reach that level of recognition.

With a roster of about 28 people, Blawnox responded to more than 550 calls last year.

Many of those calls are along the Allegheny River, providing aid in towns from Tarentum to Sharpsburg.

The gas meter is another tool to keep his crew safe, Stephens said.

It provides readings on explosive levels of carbon monoxide and other lower-level gases.

“Just so you know what you’re up against and how close you can get,” he said. “We are extremely grateful for this grant. We rely heavily on help like this.”

Without the financial support, volunteers are tasked with fundraising during time that could be spent on training, he said.

This is the second consecutive year that Norfolk Southern has supported Blawnox VFC. Last year, Stephens’ group got $12,000, which was used to buy a drone.