For DTE Energy’s environmental and safety team, it’s important to plan ahead.
As one of Michigan’s largest landowners and the state’s largest energy supplier, there’s a lot to safeguard. From power generation sites to distribution infrastructure and beyond, this team works hard to ensure people, animals and natural resources are protected and an important part of that work is making sure they know what to do if things go wrong.
That’s where the team’s partnership with local, state and even national agencies comes in. From the Coast Guard to county emergency management agencies to the Detroit Fire Department, DTE’s dedicated environmental experts work hand in hand with these organizations to make sure they’re prepared – just in case.
“DTE’s environmental team has an open and collaborative relationship with local agencies, like the DFD,” said Christy Clark, director of environmental sustainability at DTE. “During an emergency, we lean heavily on our relationships to respond appropriately for our customers and the environment.”
It was in the spirit of that partnership that the environmental team toured the Curtis Randolph, the DFD’s fireboat that is stationed on the Detroit River.
Captained by Scott Reynolds, the Curtis Randolph has served the city of Detroit since 1979, responding to marine emergencies of any kind and providing firefighters with an endless supply of water directly from the river, even becoming the first U.S. fireboat to fight a fire on foreign soil by assisting with a blaze at Windsor’s Holiday Inn in the late 1990s.
For Scott, being prepared – and knowing your partners – is an important part of the job.
“If it hits the fan,” he said. “We’re all going to be there together.”
DTE’s environmental team learned a lot on their visit with Scott and the Curtis Randolph, going far beyond just taking a tour of the ship. They explored the shared history of the partnership between DTE and DFD, including how the fireboat responded to an incident at the St. Clair Power Plant in the past, proving that preparedness and building great relationships go a long way in an emergency.
“Emergency preparedness is critical to make sure all safety and environmental steps are identified and addressed in a way that minimizes impact,” said Christy. “Being prepared helps mitigate and deescalate emergencies.”
It’s an important part of the work for the fire department, too, because knowledge is an imperative tool in a firefighter’s arsenal.
“A good firefighter knows what’s going on in his neighborhood,” Scott said. “The Detroit River is my neighborhood.”
On their visit to the vessel, the team got to experience more than just the awesome power of the Curtis Randolph’s water pumps and learn more about the ship’s capabilities. They also helped build on the legacy of cooperation the DFD and DTE have carried forward for years.
“Partnerships like these are invaluable,” said Christy. “Being able to trust each other and know we can call on each other no matter the day or time in the event of an emergency is comforting.”