The Charlotte Fire Department is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with new specialized firefighting tools, thanks to a grant from Marathon Petroleum. These new tools are specifically designed for fighting fires in large above-ground fuel storage tanks – a critical safety measure for an area known as Tank Town, the hub of fuel storage and distribution in west Charlotte.
According to a report by the city of Charlotte, the grant will enable the fire department to acquire a tank firefighting hemisphere nozzle and a foam wand. These tools will allow fire crews to intervene early during a fire incident and prevent it from escalating. Considering the volume of hazardous materials being handled daily at Tank Town, which sits along a major fuel pipeline corridor.
In an interview with Charlotte's city news service, Ashley Davis, the terminal manager for Marathon Petroleum's Charlotte facility, emphasized the importance of support for local public agencies. Davis said, "The purpose is to establish a structured process that allows terminals to effectively and consistently make an impact to local public agency and nonprofit groups through the use of charitable donations budget."
Charlotte Fire Captain Shane Fields, of Firehouse 21, highlighted how the fire station's proximity to Tank Town positions his team to be among the first responders to any incident. He noted the specific challenges associated with fuel terminal emergencies, such as accessibility and water supply, "Some of these tanks are well back into the facility and more isolated, than others." The equipment provided by Marathon will primarily be used to manage rim seal fires which can quickly spread if not addressed promptly. "If we go from a seal fire to a full surface fire, we’re talking hours-long operation," Fields told the city's news outlet, stressing the significance of early and efficient incident control.
The collaboration between Charlotte Fire and Marathon Petroleum has deepened over the past several years, including multiple training sessions at the terminal. This partnership not only facilitated the grant but also ensured that firefighters are familiar with the facility and equipped with industry expertise provided by Marathon's fire subject-matter experts. Davis mentioned that the idea for the specialized equipment request originated from these comprehensive drills and was directly communicated during those interactions.
While the new equipment will be used primarily at Marathon's terminal, it's a shared resource that benefits all fuel storage facilities in the Tank Town area. "They don’t have to use it just for Marathon," Davis said.
