The annual Major Incident Drill at BASF

In 1990, the BASF Board of Executive Directors decided to conduct these exercises twice a year. The aim was to ensure that the site fire department, emergency medical services, environmental monitoring and site security are always be prepared for an emergency. The organizational basis of all major incident drills is the major emergency response plan put together in 1980 by BASF experts in collaboration with experts from the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the City of Ludwigshafen. This plan outlines all organizational and communicative steps to be taken in the event of an emergency.

 Even though we have emergency response exercises almost on a daily basis, with 220 emergency drills per year, the major incident drill is an outstanding training opportunity. After all, in case of an emergency the fire department and emergency medical services need to work hand in hand with site security, environmental monitoring, employee care team and the respective plant. That’s why we train regularly the necessary procedures and measures at the site.

And that’s important, as even though we have been running a chemical site with the very highest safety standard for decades, it is essential to be prepared for the unlikely event of an incident. I compare it with the first aid courses, which – I hope – everyone participates in regularly. You don’t participate because you expect to be confronted with an accident straight away and have to provide first aid. You go there to be well prepared for this situation and to be able to provide fast and effective first aid. Our exercises with our professionally trained and very well-equipped emergency response teams are just the same.

With the major incident drill, we demonstrate our performance in the event of a crisis to our neighbors, the competent authorities of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, city of Ludwigshafen and the insurance companies. It’s also about establishing trust and showing that we are ideally prepared in case of an emergency. In the year 2019, we invited the members of the neighborhood forum for the first time. And there was another first this year: We raffled off a total of 10 wild cards for interested employees and externals, so for those who are particularly interested in the BASF Fire Department.

"It was very interesting to witness the exercise. To see the fire department in action is something different than on the open day. One notices how slowly three minutes can pass when one consciously waits for time to pass". 

 

"As a professional firefighter (in Worms) and as a paramedic for the Maltese, I observed the major incident drill exercise from a special angle. It was very exciting to see how everything works and I took many impressions with me in a short time. In general, the major incident drill was very coordinated and clear. Everything was clearly marked". 

"The exercise was very exciting for me. I was impressed by the cooperation between the fire department and the emergency rescue services and the good coordination."

 

"On the way to the exercise, I was very excited. I kept asking the firefighter a lot of questions. Now, after the answers and the major incident drill, I'm more relaxed." 

 

"It is fascinating what a great staff is behind this exercise. Everything went very well. I think in case of emergency, it'll all be a little quicker."