On 21 September 2026, a joint exercise with the Meudt Fire Brigade took place on our Plant 1 site. The focus was on a simulated accident scenario involving the unloading of a lorry – with injured people, a damaged IBC and a hazardous substance leaking.
Exercises like these are a vital part of our safety work. After all, in an emergency, every minute counts. Hazards must be identified quickly, assessed correctly and the necessary measures put in place.
A realistic scenario at the loading bay
A typical accident scenario was simulated for the exercise: a UCM lorry was parked at the ramp when an accident occurred whilst it was being unloaded. Two injured people were portrayed. At the same time, a damaged IBC was simulated, from which a chemical was leaking.
The emergency services had to assess the situation as quickly as possible, identify any dangers and take the appropriate action.
In the event of a chemical accident in particular, the rapid identification of the substance involved is of particular importance. The sooner the emergency services know which chemical they are dealing with, the more effectively they can respond – both to protect their own personnel and to safeguard injured people and the environment.
Practising cooperation in an emergency
Effective emergency response can only work if all those involved work together. That is why exercises of this kind are not solely about the work of the fire service.
Co-operation between the fire service, the ambulance service and Ursa-Chemie must also function effectively in the event of an emergency. Who is responsible for which tasks? What information is required? What hazards exist at the scene? How can we, as a company, best support the external emergency services?
It is precisely these questions that can be put to the test in a realistic exercise.
After such exercises, the procedures are therefore reviewed collectively and critically. What went well? Where is there room for improvement? What information or resources are needed in an emergency? And where can the procedures be further optimised?
Safety through regular training
Exercises help to identify potential weaknesses and reinforce the correct procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. At the same time, they give everyone involved the opportunity to gain experience and learn from one another.
This is particularly relevant for Ursa-Chemie: as a company in the chemical industry, we have a special responsibility for the safety of our employees, our emergency services and the environment.
We therefore make our site available for such exercises. Exercises with the Montabaur fire brigade or those from neighbouring municipalities take place regularly. Particularly in the Westerwald, where various companies handle chemical substances, it is important that fire brigades have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the local conditions and the specific requirements of chemical companies.
Our staff’s involvement with the fire service
There is also a special connection to the fire service within our own team. Some of our staff are actively involved in the fire service.
We are very pleased that our staff carry out this important work and are able to draw on their experience during emergency operations. Particularly during operations at chemical plants, practical knowledge gained from day-to-day work and experience in handling chemical substances can provide valuable support to the emergency services.
For us, therefore, safety is not just about having technical measures and contingency plans in place. Safety also means practising together, sharing experiences and learning from one another.
The exercise with the Meudt Fire Brigade has once again demonstrated how important good preparation and seamless cooperation between all those involved are. After all, when it really matters, everyone should know what to do.
