Talal Al-Khalid: Cooperation between Kuwait Fire Service Directorate and Kuwait Oil Tankers Company serves the interests of the State and citizens”
As Kuwait Oil Tankers Company is keen on continuous collaboration among the State agencies to serve the State and citizens, KOTC CEO Sheikh Talal Khalid Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah hosted General Yusuf Al-Ansari, Director General, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate and Colonel Khaleel Al-Amir, Director, KFSD Public Relations. Such meeting was intended to promote efforts for enhancing mutual cooperation between Kuwait Fire Service Directorate and Kuwait Oil Tankers Company.
During the meeting, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid said that KOTC pays considerable attention to this issue through continuous communication with all State agencies and organizations particularly Kuwait Fire Service Directorate that uses significant efforts to ensure safety of lives and property through follow-up and inspection of emergency facilities and ensuring that security and safety procedures are in place at KOTC Head Office building. In addition, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate effectively participates in emergency plans adopted by LPG Filling Branch (Shuaibaa) through taking part in regular fire evacuation drills at the Plant. Such drills cover firefighting and rescue operations in addition to organizing awareness lectures for the staff and training the personnel in how to deal with fires to identify their readiness to tackle any such accidents.
Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid pointed out that KOTC key objectives include investment in two basic elements in the Company, namely:
- National Human Resources: KOTC sets training and qualification of national human resources as a top priority through developing training plans and programs for all personnel across all KOTC functions including but not limited to the development of the staff technical skills and continuous awareness and training in connection with all issues related to health, safety and environment “HSE” with view to attracting and retaining those talents. Investment in national human capital is the real wealth of oil sector and the State.
- Technical Aspects: KOTC is keen on applying up-to-date global practices in gas industry paying utmost attention and priority to security and safety issues with respect to the industry equipment and tools involved in LGP processes such as filling and inspection systems through which gas cylinders automatically pass using latest technologies in order to ensure that all parts of gas cylinder are safe and free from any defects prior to distributing the same to consumers, or those used by the consumers such as gas cylinders and accessories adopting the slogan “Safety First”.
Further, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid stated that the core theme of discussions with Kuwait Fire Service Directorate focused on causes of accidents that occur either due to misuse of the cylinder by the consumer or technical errors by unlicensed gas supply network companies. Therefore, Sheikh Talal emphasized importance for spreading protection awareness with the consumers of LPG cylinders produced by KOTC; and how to comply with HSE procedures and avoid risks that may arise from misuse of such cylinders.
Following the discussions and with view to spreading awareness and finding appropriate solutions in this regard, a plan was developed with Kuwait Fire Service Directorate including all necessary protection and awareness measures including but not limited to release of awareness posters, which indicate sound storage and handling techniques in order to contribute towards enhancing awareness on how to use the LPG cylinders with no potential for occurrence of problems that may result in serious accidents.
Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid praised the effective role and efforts undertaken by Kuwait Fire Service Directorate personnel and their sacrifices to save lives and maintain the State’s property. He stressed that such mutual visits further strength distinct relationship between KOTC and Kuwait Fire Service Directorate and support means of collaboration serving the country and citizens.
In conclusion, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid extended thanks to General Yusuf Al-Ansari and Colonel Khaleel Al-Amir for the visit they paid to KOTC wishing them the best of luck and success.