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PARKERSBURG -- The Chemours Company at Washington Works was presented with an award Wednesday for its excellence in maritime security by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard presented plant officials with the 2018 Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Facility of the Year Award for excellence in maritime security. This biennial award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA).
"This award shows the tremendous emphasis The Chemours Company-Washington Works places on protecting their critical infrastructure in the Mountain State,'' said Commander Tanya L. Giles, commanding officer, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Huntington. ''By implementing comprehensive, innovative physical and cyber security practices, this facility ensures a safe work environment for its employees, contractors and neighbors. Chemours Washington Works exemplifies the very nature of the Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis award."
The plant is located on the Ohio River and is regulated by the MTSA.
Chemours Washington Works was selected for this award based on its ability to lead, develop, promote and engage in maritime partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, its security-focused culture, excellence in maritime security plans, policies, and procedures, and its innovative approach to physical security measures, Coast Guard officials said.
Capt. Ted M. St. Pierre, chief of staff of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, said the award is considered to be prestigious and there is a lot of deliberation in determining who this is awarded to.
The Coast Guard's leadership commended the plant "for demonstrating best practices, to leverage partnerships and all business practices to implement security measures that open a culture of security within the organization,'' St. Pierre said.
''We are all stewards of the maritime transportation systems and we all have a part in its security,'' he said.
St. Pierre commented on the emergencies that have occurred in this area, including the recent IEI plant fire, ice flows and high water along the Ohio River.
''As a result of these threats and hazards, it is very important we guard against complacency and guard against emerging threats in the future,'' he said.
The award is named after the late Rear Admiral Bennis, who began his career in 1972 and went on to serve as the captain of Port Charleston, South Carolina, and Hampton Roads, Virginia. While captain of Port New York on Sept. 11, 2001, Bennis organized the waterborne evacuation of nearly 500,000 people from lower Manhattan after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He served in the Coast Guard for 30 years until his retirement in 2002.
The plant's leadership was appreciative of the award.
Plant Manager Bob Fehrenbacher talked briefly about the plant's founding and history as a nylon manufacturer under DuPont following World War II and its move to a chemical manufacturing site.
He talked about the development of security measures at the site.
''As the site grew, a fence was erected and a security force was established,'' he said.
The country's concept of security changed on Sept. 11, 2001, Fehrenbacher said.
''From that day, Washington Works has endured many changes, including a stronger focus on security,'' Fehrenbacher said.
He talked about the split which formed Chemours from DuPont as well as selling some of the site's assets to Kuraray, which now has a presence at the site.
"No matter how many changes have come to the Washington Works site, safety and security have remained at the center of all we do,'' Fehrenbacher said.
''Safety is at the core of Chemours' values. That extends to the protection of our people and our assets. Nothing is more critical to our safety and security than being prepared.''
That involves vigilant employees, good relationships with local, state and federal agencies, rigorous planning and tight security systems, he said.
"We are honored that the United States Coast Guard has recognized our efforts and we are very proud to accept this prestigious award," Fehrenbacher said.
Randy Lowe, Chemours Washington Works security officer, said the company, as DuPont, originally set high standards for security which Chemours has carried on.
''Everyone at the plant plays a role,'' he said. ''I am grateful today for the partnerships we share, the work others never see, to think about the unthinkable and plan for what others cannot fathom.
''Whether in the public or private sector, none of us do this work for glory or awards. I am proud of what we have accomplished together,'' Lowe said.