Covanta Haverhill in Ward Hill. (Courtesy photograph.)
All 80 Haverhill firefighters, working in shifts over a few weeks’ time, took time to become closely familiar with Covanta’s energy-from-waste plant in Ward Hill.
It was all part of Covanta’s Voluntary Protection Program, designed to work proactively and cooperatively with officials on emergency measures should they become necessary one day. The company invited firefighters to visit the site and learn about the plant layout, chemical hazards, firefighting equipment and emergency action plan procedures.
“Our facility and my team continue to be committed to the highest safety standards in the industry” said Bill Zaneski, Covanta’s facility manager. The Haverhill plant’s Voluntary Protection Program has been certified by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for more than 10 years. The designation means the company has “implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries,” OSHA says.
Haverhill Fire officials and Covanta are also working on scheduling joint emergency rescue drills and training in the future.
“Being familiar with a facility and training together is an effective way towards efficiency and safety,” said Fire Chief William F. Laliberty.
The voluntary program’s goal is to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, work site analysis, training and a high level of management commitment coupled with workers’ direct involvement.
“The Haverhill fire department’s cooperation has been vital in our longstanding safety and emergency preparedness culture at Covanta and within our Haverhill facility,” said Mark Van Weelden, business manager. “We look forward to commencing joint training drills in the future and thank the department for their service to us and the community,” he added.
Rumor has it that the Firefighter running for council is running because they are promoting another Emt guy over him.
The city council has nothing to do with promotions, but nice try starting a rumor.
Imagine if everyone complained about everything, every day? You really are a glass half full kind of guy John Kleschinsky.
Hey everybody, there’s Keith Grant! One of the 30 FELONS who conspired to steal over $54,000.00 from city taxpayers.
You’d think someone who got caught knowingly stealing from his neighbors would be a bit humiliated and embarrassed. Not Keith Grant! He wears being one of the 30 felons in the HFD who stole from Haverhill taxpayers as a badge of honor.
Are there literally felons Jack? A little over the top today.
Stealing over $250 in Massachusetts is “Grand Theft”.
Grand theft is a FELONY.
The 30 EMT thieves who knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other to steal $1,800 each didn’t just commit grand theft. When they signed documents indicating they took State of Massachusetts required EMT training which they never took they also committed “fraud”. Fraud in Massachusetts is also a FELONY.
When they lied about taking training they never took they committed a felony TWICE. This is not my opinion. These are the facts of what happened.
That’s over the top?
John and Jack need to have a snickers bar….being a bit dramatic
The fire hacks are at it again with their ridiculous self promotion, lead by Fire Chief William F. Laliberty who is a known felon for knowing and intentionally stealing over $1,800.00 from Haverhill taxpayers.
In other words, they’re doing their job.
Can you imagine if every department head put out a press release for everything they do in the course of their job?
Not that it matters, but it’s more likely Covanta put the info out, not the FD.