CEMEX, a global building materials company, announced today it hosted more than 30 area firefighters at its Brooksville South Cement Plant last month to provide first responders the opportunity to conduct high-angle rescue training and practice operating at heights.

The firefighters from Hernando County, Pasco County and Tampa’s Fire Department visited the CEMEX facility November 8 for the specialized training where first responders simulated rescue operations using the height of two clinker silos at the cement plant.

During the exercise, firefighters were tasked with rescuing a mannequin that mimicked a patient that was injured nearly 200 feet above the ground. Firefighters climbed the silo to where the mannequin was located, loaded it into a rescue basket, then ziplined down a rope to an adjacent silo to complete the rescue. Firefighters also received additional practice on rappelling down the sides of buildings by climbing down the side of one of the silos.

“CEMEX has been a part of Hernando County for decades, and we are proud to support our local first responders by providing them a training ground where they can practice unique rescues,” said CEMEX USA Brooksville South Cement Plant Manager Alberto Calleros. “This training strengthens the abilities of the firefighters as they serve our communities in extraordinary scenarios.”

CEMEX has an ongoing relationship with firefighters and first responders in Hernando County. Brooksville South Cement Plant hosted the firefighters for an elevator rescue training drill earlier this year.

“CEMEX has always been a great community partner with Hernando County Fire Rescue, and they are also tremendous advocates for public safety in general,” said Hernando County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Kevin Carroll. “We are extremely grateful for CEMEX’s support in helping us achieve our training goals and objectives, especially when it comes to our specialty rescue teams. We truly appreciate their longstanding commitment to Hernando County and Hernando County Fire Rescue.”

In January, Hernando County first responders are scheduled to visit the plant again to hold classes alerting CEMEX employees of the risks of confined spaces as part of CEMEX’s annual Safety Week.
 

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Its U.S. network includes 11 cement plants, more than 50 strategically- located distribution terminals, 50 aggregate quarries and nearly 270 ready-mix concrete plants.