1) From your perspective, how important is the partnership between Enbridge and our Superior Terminal and the Superior Fire Department, as well as with the Superior Petroleum Partners (SPP) group?

Both are very important. For Enbridge, we provide primary emergency response to their Superior Terminal; and through our partnership with them, Superior Fire Department receives the training and equipment necessary to respond adequately to protect the city’s and Enbridge’s assets. Since 2012, Enbridge has provided Superior Fire Department with about $600,000 in training and equipment.

The SPP group is a public-private partnership comprised of Enbridge, Husky Energy and Plains Midstream, as well a Superior Fire Department. It is a mutual aid group designed to respond to any industrial-sector emergency that may arise in Superior. The SPP works together to share resources, as well as train and plan together for emergencies so that we can provide a more effective and coordinated response.

2) How have these partnerships benefited Superior Fire Department and others?

With the training and equipment we’ve received from Enbridge, and through the work we’re doing jointly with the SPP, Superior Fire Department is in a stronger position to respond to the type of emergencies that could occur in these industrial facilities. And by doing that, we’re providing greater safety to residents, workers and our firefighters. These industries are also extremely important assets to our community, and it is critical that we’re prepared to protect them. Also, as a municipal fire department with an industrial firefighting component, we’re a greater resource to surrounding communities that don’t have these types of capabilities. 

3) How have the joint training exercises with the Superior Terminal and the SPP group increased the capability within the Superior Fire Department?

Training exercises are vital to proper emergency-response training. These partnerships have offered unique opportunities for our teams to work together and our firefighters to become more familiar with equipment and the facilities. The SPP held its first fully-fledged training exercise at Enbridge’s Superior Terminal in the summer of 2017; and in 2018, Superior Fire Department and Husky Energy’s emergency response team will hold their first joint training exercise, also at Enbridge’s Superior Terminal. Exposure to training exercises within the terminal aids our department in developing an efficient and effective response. The SPP also holds monthly refinery safety meetings, through which Superior Fire Department firefighters receive updates on facilities, equipment and resources.

4) What are some of Superior Fire Department’s future initiatives/plans for your Enbridge and SPP partnerships?

Administratively, the SPP is drawing up a formal mutual-aid agreement so the path will be clear on how best to deploy resources to participating parties. SPP members will also visit Husky’s refinery in Lima, Ohio to learn more about their response planning and capabilities. And last but not least, in the spring of 2018, Superior Fire Department began construction of a new headquarters station, which will include space to store Enbridge-purchased industrial firefighting equipment, making this equipment readily available for our firefighters to maintain and deploy. All of these are excellent steps forward. We must work together and train together if we’re going to function together. When it comes to responding to emergencies, it’s essential that all of us are on the same page.