On Saturday, January 31, two Forrest County firefighters attended a CO₂ training program at the Mississippi State Fire Academy. The program, which was sponsored by ExxonMobil, trains firefighters to respond to incidents related to carbon dioxide, a common, naturally occurring molecule that is increasingly important to industrial and economic activity.
“These firefighters deserve a lot of credit for their dedication to their communities,” said Matt Ellis, Instructor Supervisor at the Mississippi State Fire Academy. “Despite sub-freezing temperatures and serious wind, they showed up and applied themselves with the same resolve they bring to saving lives. We are grateful to ExxonMobil for their support of this program, which will help keep our firefighters safe as well as equip them with the skills to protect lives and communities in the event an incident like this occurs.”
The training is a one-day intensive program that teaches participants about CO₂, including its uses and hazards, how to safely assess a CO₂-related incident, and how to respond. At the end of the program, trainees demonstrated what they learned by conducting live simulations on a new CO₂ pipeline prop, which was funded through a grant by ExxonMobil.
“At Exxon, safety is our core value, and training is the foundation of safety. That’s why we’re proud to bring this specialized CO₂ program right here to Mississippi,” said Brian Carlin, CO₂ Operations Manager. “By making this training local, we’re removing barriers and ensuring that every firefighter, whether serving in the Jackson metro area or a rural county in the delta, has the same access to world-class preparation.”
In total, more than 20 firefighters from across the state attended the training, which is provided at no cost to first responders or their departments. Located in Pearl, the Fire Academy has already held two CO₂ trainings this year, with several more being scheduled for this year. Firefighters interested in participating can reach out to the Fire Academy to reserve their spot.
