Siemens holds mock emergency rescue at NextEra turbine site

Conducting a rescue from the tight confines of a wind turbine can be a daunting task. Whether the rescue is from the top of the 80-meter high turbines or the four meter wide base, space is a factor rescuers have to contend with.

That was evident in a mock emergency, held June 6 and staged by wind turbine supplier Siemens and NextEra Energy which operates the 10-turbine Conestogo Wind Energy Centre here. Firefighters from Mapleton’s Drayton department acted as observers at the drill in preparation for any emergency scenario that would involve extrication of an injured turbine employee by joint emergency services.

Andy Durand an environmental health and safety specialist with Siemens said NextEra technicians are trained in basic first aid and more advanced techniques. The intent is to get an injured person out of the turbine where outside emergency services, such as the local fire department or ambulance service, take over.

Siemens safety and rescue trainer James Tew said training of turbine technicians is ongoing with the company having its own emergency staff.

“We train for the worst case scenario all the time,” he said.

With a turbine site, like Conestogo, having two to three employees, Tew said it can be difficult for a worker to find an injured colleague and stay focused on treatment because they work together on a daily basis. It’s one of the first lessons technicians are taught.

Using harnesses, pulleys and a backboard, the mock emergency had the victim out of the turbine within about 15 minutes. Tew said because some turbine locations are remote, efforts to keep response time down is essential.

“We require a maximum of 30 minutes response time,” he said of the Mapleton location.

“We act as first responders,” Durand said.

Accidents can involve falls, heart attacks, broken bones, and collisions with company vehicles, he added.

“We’re going to be doing them (emergency training exercises) on a continuous basis.”