STEER partners include Marathon Oil, Chesapeake Energy, EOG Resources, Conoco Philips, XTO Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, DEVON, Murphy Oil Corporation, Mobil Energy and several other Energy Companies doing business in the Eagle Ford Shale.
The county is positioned for greater success as recipient of the 2019 STEER Eagle Ford Excellence Award.
The South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER) named La Salle County, Texas, and its first responders as winners of 2019 Eagle Ford Excellence Award for Community Achievement in Safety. La Salle County was honored for its collaborative efforts with the oil-and-gas industry to work diligently to protect the environment, making safety a top priority, and for building community outreach.
Accepting the award for the county’s dedication to community safety were La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez Jr., Commissioner Noel Niavez, Commissioner Joaquin Alba, Commissioner Erasmo Ramirez Jr., Commissioner Raul Ayala, Fire Chief Daniel Mendez, Battalion Chief Gilbery Martinez and Soteria Solutions’ CEO Michelle Joseph.
STEER cited La Salle County for improving the quality of its emergency response through collaboration and partnerships with industry. The County now supports a full-time, fully staffed professional fire department that can respond to any type of emergency including Advance Life Support Services.
The County also has built two state-of-the-art facilities equipped with training and housing for its employees. La Salle’s first responders fleet has grown from one truck to having a fleet of three Class A pumpers, four brush trucks, three advanced life support service ambulances, and includes an aerial ladder that can be used on multistory buildings including hotels.
Mutually Beneficial
“The founding members created STEER to develop Eagle Ford’s energy resources in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the industry and communities,” says Michelle Joseph, CEO of Soteria Solutions LLC, the nation’s leading authority on emergency response planning for county and city governments. Joseph works with retired Travis County Fire Chief Don Smith to provide expertise and resources counties need for comprehensive emergency planning.
“Soteria Solutions connects elected officials with the stakeholder communities they serve,” Joseph said.
Saving Lives
“La Salle’s first responders now offer Advance Life Support Services such as administration of IVs, whole blood, and much more,” said La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez Jr. La Salle County is one of only a handful of fire departments in the nation approved to administer whole blood, which provides severe trauma victims with more than three times the survival rate.
“This is life-changing in a rural area, where every second gained saves lives and prevents further damage,” Chief Don Smith said. “City residents can now expect help in less than 5 minutes, with a countywide response average of 18 minutes.”
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Through collaboration with the oil and gas industry, La Salle County formed a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) that acts as a clearinghouse for safety and best practices while establishing constant communication to keep the region safe. They are developing agreements with McMullen, Webb, and Frio Counties for joint-rescue efforts.
La Salle County recently received a $1.6 million FEMA SAFER Grant designed to add 15 firefighters/EMT or Paramedic to meet NFPA staffing standards. La Salle County Fire Rescue is fully staffed 24/7. The county also received a grant through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to help their LEPC and the industry create a joint response team with a fully equipped trailer dedicated to HAZMAT emergencies.
Lastly, the county has increased its ISO safety rating from a 9-10 (10 being worst) to a 5 currently. They expect to earn a 3 rating before the next evaluation when a new dispatch control center opens in 2020. The ISO safety rating lowers insurance premiums for residents and businesses in a county.
The Leading Eagle Ford Shale Resource
STEER is the leading Eagle Ford Shale resource in the region and is the primary coordinator for communication and public advocacy surrounding the oil and natural gas industry in South Texas. The organization serves as the bridge connecting the industry and communities throughout South Texas to ensure positive collaboration and communication regarding the activities associated with energy production in the Eagle Ford Shale.
STEER partners include Marathon Oil, Chesapeake Energy, EOG Resources, Conoco Philips, XTO Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, DEVON, Murphy Oil Corporation, Mobil Energy and several other Energy Companies doing business in the Eagle Ford Shale.
For more information, visit STEER.com.
