Contact:
Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque (563) 589-4151, rgehl@cityofdubuque.org
Cheryl Hunter, Cargill, (952) 984-8203
Cargill Donates Air Monitor to Dubuque Fire Department
DUBUQUE, Iowa – In addition to the obvious hazards of fire and smoke, emergency responders often face the invisible and potentially fatal danger of working in situations where toxic or hazardous gases are present. Thanks to a donation from a local business, the Dubuque Fire Department has another tool to assist its staff in such situations.
Cargill AgHorizons and Cargill Salt, located at 1050 Kerper Blvd. in Dubuque, recently purchased an AIM Commander Portable Multi-Gas Detector and donated it to the Dubuque Fire Department, bringing the department’s total to three. The hand-held gas detector can simultaneously detect up to four gases and alerts users to the presence of a gas with a 103 decibel alarm. The monitor will be used by the department’s hazardous materials and confined space rescue teams to detect deadly gases as they respond to situations such as hazardous material spills, suspected meth labs, industrial accidents, fires in storage facilities with unknown contents, and other situations which may involve compromised air quality.
“Cargill values safety at work, at home, and in the community,” said Cargill Farm Services Center Manager Dave Olson. Cargill Salt Facility Manager Bill Miller added, “We thought this would be a good opportunity to demonstrate that commitment.”
Dubuque Fire Chief Dan Brown says responders can come into contact with a range of hazardous gases in the many environments in which they must work. Flammable gases and vapors can be ignited and result in a fire or an explosion and asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen is always a threat in confined spaces. Additionally, precious response time can be lost if responders do not have access to the latest technology to quickly assess the threat of dangerous gases.
“We’re very pleased to have this additional tool,” said Brown. “It will enhance our ability to quickly and safely respond to hazardous material releases and other situations in which we must identify toxic and flammable atmospheres.”
PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITY: The Dubuque Fire Department will conduct a confined space rescue training exercise on Thursday, May 18, at 2:30 p.m. at Cargill’s location at 1050 Kerper Blvd. The air monitor will be utilized in this exercise and participating staff will receive instruction on its use. Please contact Randy Gehl if you plan to cover this related event.