Tim Staton, Safety Specialist – South Fort Meade (on left) with members of South Fort Meade’s Emergency Response Team. The team placed third in Medical Field Exercise at a recent skills competition for ERTs at our U.S. phosphate operations facilities.
Tim Staton joined his first Mosaic Emergency Response (ERT) team more than 10 years ago because he wanted to help in an emergency situation. “I was with the fire department before I joined Mosaic, and I still wanted to be part of a rescue team” said Staton. “Joining the ERT gave me that opportunity.”
ERTs are voluntary groups of employees at Mosaic operations sites who have specialty training in areas such as medical, confined space, hazardous waste and fire. Team members train and practice year-round to ensure we are prepared and ready to respond to potential emergency situations. They also have opportunities to attend skills competitions to put their training to the test.
In October, ERTs from Mosaic’s U.S. phosphate mining and manufacturing operations tested their skills at the second annual ERT skills competition at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. Nine teams consisting of 87 ERT employees from Florida and Louisiana took part in the two-day event to enhance their medical, firefighting, confined space and rope skills.
“The competitions are designed to put team members’ training and decision-making to the test in a controlled environment,” said Staton, who is also a Safety Specialist at South Fort Meade. “This helps teams understand their weaknesses so they know what they need to work on to prepare for real-life situations. It also helps build confidence by providing opportunities for team members to practice more advanced and different technical skills.”
Watch a video to learn more about the importance of our ERTs, hear from employees and watch our ERTs in action at the recent skills competition.
