On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, the Woodbridge Fire Department presented representatives from the Shell Oil Industrial Terminal located in Sewaren with plaques to express its gratitude and appreciation for their support and dedication to training and public safety. Sean Murphy (Operations Manager), Paul Fatum (Maintenance and Business Service Manager), and Brian Pado (Operations Maintenance Coordinator) have worked closely with the members of the Woodbridge Fire Department and have been an integral addition to the Department’s pre-plan and preparedness initiative. Industrial firefighting presents unique challenges that require strategic planning and tactics as well as specialized tools and equipment that differ from traditional structural firefighting.
The Sewaren Terminal is the largest of all Shell terminals in the world with the second largest being in Carson City, California. With that knowledge, Shell recognized the need for specialized training and continues to graciously sponsor two members from the Woodbridge Fire Department to attend the annual Shell Corporate Fire School at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service in College Station, Texas. It is at this multi-day, hands-on training that firefighters learn the best approach to a major incident in an industrial facility to be better prepared should it occur, like the lightning strike that caused a fire in the Sewaren Shell Oil Terminal on June 11, 1996. This year, Shell also sponsored two additional attendees from the Middlesex County Hazardous Materials Unit, of whom the Woodbridge Fire Department works with closely.
It is also imperative to conduct individualized training that is specific to the Sewaren Terminal as it pertains directly to the facility in our backyard. Shell and its employees open their gates to the members of the Woodbridge Fire Department each year to participate in simulated fire and water rescue incidents. These simulations afford the Department the opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses so that improvements can be made alongside the employees at Shell.
Lastly, Shell understands that the specialized equipment required to safely, effectively, and quickly mitigate industrial incidents comes with a hefty price tag. Shell supports the Department’s purchases of this equipment to ensure its preparedness while also eliminating the financial burden on the taxpayers of Fire District #1.
The Woodbridge Board of Fire Commissioners, Chief Michael Balog, Deputy Chief Robert Minkler Jr., Deputy Chief Stephen Weber, Pre-Plan Battalion Chief Mark Minkler, and all members of the Woodbridge Fire Department extend their heartfelt thanks to Sean, Paul, Brian, and the entire Shell organization for their continued support of the Woodbridge Fire Department and to their dedication to ensuring the safety of the residents of District #1.