On November 7, 2014, Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation conducted its biennial fire drill under the leadership of Shimonoseki East Fire Station. It was a big program, which involved more than 50 staffs, including members of Kyokuyo's own fire brigade team. The fire station provided instructors and firefighters, a commander's van and pumpers.

The primary reason for the drill, held as a part of the company's emergency management plan, is to improve skills and knowledge of workers and promote their risk awareness through the training of Kyokuyo's own fire brigade team for fire-fighting, evacuation, reporting and life-saving.

The scenario : a certain combustible material takes fire in the engine room of a new building ship berthing at No.3 berth, while thermal insulation works are in progress. Dozens of workers, including injured persons, remain in the ship. Instant action is required.

During the operation of about 40 minutes, the things were worked out to the minute under the direction of the fire station chief. As requested by him, sprinklers were set to block the heat transfer to the land, and an injured person (dummy) was rescued using a rope extended from the ship's deck to the berth. The participants admired quick and professional actions of the firefighters. The time flew so fast!

In his ending speech, the fire station chief reminded us that a real fire being never like a drill, it was always important to inform the fire station of the happening without panic, before starting fire-fighting procedures. After the speech, AED training session was held to make a meaningful day even more meaningful.

We have renewed our determination not to let the fire and the accident happen in our factory.

[2014/12/02]