The best emergency response begins long before an emergency occurs.
Recently, employees at our site in Barcelona participated in emergency response and fire safety training as members of the site’s Fire and Emergency Evacuation Team. The training focused on building the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to respond safely and effectively during a fire emergency.
The program combined classroom instruction with practical, hands-on exercises. Participants learned about different types of fires and appropriate response procedures, as well as the safe use of fire extinguishers and fire hoses.
One of the most valuable aspects of the training was experiencing the differences between various fire extinguishers in real-world scenarios. Employees practiced extinguishing controlled fires and learned how selecting the wrong equipment can reduce effectiveness and increase risk.
The training also challenged participants to work together in a simulated emergency environment. Teams entered a smoke-filled structure with little to no visibility, relying on communication and coordination to navigate safely and exit as a group.
The experience highlighted an important principle of fire safety: knowing when to act and when to evacuate.
While emergency response teams are trained to manage small, controllable incidents, employee safety remains the top priority. If a fire cannot be safely contained, the correct response is to isolate the area, contact emergency services and evacuate immediately.
Beyond the technical skills, the training reinforced the importance of teamwork, preparation and clear communication under pressure. These capabilities help create safer workplaces and stronger emergency response readiness across our operations.
Investing in safety training helps ensure employees are prepared for situations we hope never occur but must always be ready to face.