Responsibility towards the community where we operate is one of the focus areas of Kemira’s corporate responsibility. Related activities have been done globally at Kemira sites since 2013.
The target of community involvement is that by 2015, each Kemira site that employs over 50 people would have participated in a local community involvement initiative at least once. At the moment Kemira has 26 sites with over 50 employees and of them 88 % have already reached the target.
The activities from the fall of 2014 include open door events, co-operation with schools, participation in local events, charity activities and donations. Read more how Kemira’s site in Columbus, GA, USA, acts as a great example of a responsible partner in the local community.
HAZMAT training exercise with Columbus Fire & EMS
The plant participated in a joint training exercise with Columbus Fire and EMS, who is responsible for hazardous material (HAZMAT) response for the community. The HAZMAT group is required to conduct annual training for its employees and our plant also conducts drills to ensure emergency preparedness, so this was a great opportunity for our groups to work together. Kemira hosted teams from several responding fire stations over the course of 3 days.
The scenario involved an overturned tank wagon, and the HAZMAT group had a neat simulator they used during the exercise.
“On behalf of Columbus Fire & EMS, thank you to Kemira for letting us visit your facility and conduct the training drills. It has been an awesome experience for us to perform these drills in a realistic environment. We are thankful that Kemira is proactive in safety and we appreciate your willingness to work with us to strengthen our response capabilities,” says Captain Brent Morris from Columbus Fire & EMS.

Columbus hosts field trip for Waddell Elementary School fifth graders
The site also hosted a field trip for 15 students and 2 teachers from the fifth grade at Waddell Elementary School, with whom Kemira serves as a Partner in Education. The activities included a pizza lunch, demonstration of chemistry experiments and a plant tour. The site leaders took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of staying in school to prepare for future careers.
The school principal Shiann Williamson commented: “This was a memorable experience for our fifth grade students. Waddell appreciates the wonderful things Kemira is doing for our school and the community.”

For more information on Kemira’s corporate responsibility: