• Number of employees (plus contractor personnel): 370

• Annual direct economic impact in Southwest Louisiana: $35 Million

• Products: The Lake Charles Plant produces a wide range of synthetic rubber polymers manufactured by the solution polymerization process. The primary end use of these polymers is for use in the tire manufacturing process. Other polymers are used for impact modification of plastics and many other non-tire synthetic rubber applications.

    The Firestone Synthetic Plant was placed in operation September 1, 1943. The plant was constructed by the U. S. Government, and operated by Firestone as part of the Allied war effort. The facility was operated by Firestone under government ownership until 1955 when Firestone purchased the plant from the government. Since that time the facility has evolved from the original emulsion synthetic rubber process to the newer solution rubber manufacturing process, which was invented and commercialized by Firestone and is now licensed for use worldwide. Firestone remains one of the leading producers of continuous and batch solution polymers.

Reporters and camera crews covering an emergency should go to the Administration Building where the Personnel Conference Room will be used as a media operations center.

Mutual Aid Member: Yes--Steve Trahan
CAER Member: Yes--Steve Trahan

• EPA Region 6 - Dallas, Texas
• Louisiana DEQ
• U. S. Coast Guard
• U. S. Corps of Engineers
• Louisiana State Police
• OSHA,
• Louisiana State Fire Marshall

• 8 Shift Emergency Response Team members on site at all times
• 11 Safety and Industrial Hygiene personnel trained in emergency response
• 8-member rescue team
• 8 HAZMAT technicians
• 8 HAZWOP team members on site at all times
• 2 Hazardous Material Equipment building
• 4 stationary 500# foam units
• 9 stationary 1000 gpm water and foam monitors 2500 gpm portable monitors
• 28 suits of full bunker gear
• 21 Scott 4.5 SCBA units (21 extra bottles)
• 1 Ambulance
• 5000 feet of 2" fire hose
• 3000 feet of 1-1/2" fire hose

• CAER (automatically reports to 911)
• State Police HAZMAT
• DEQ
• EPA
• OSHA
• Coast Guard (if there are marine implications)

Firestone has made a major effort to reduce U. S. energy consumption through the development of low rolling resistant polymers that result in fuel efficient tires for automobiles.

Firestone continues to implement new ways to reduce energy usage in the plant.

Firestone Lake Charles Plant reduced incident rates 60% over the last four years, achieving one million man-hours without a lost time injury in 2006.  The plant was awarded the OSHA VPP STAR recognition by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 2006.

Firestone has made waste minimization a priority for many years. Programs are designed to facilitate alternate uses of the material into other products, elimination of waste at the source, and recycling of waste where possible. The program evolves around the concept of continuous improvement using Kaizen philosophy.

    Both as a company and through the individual efforts of its employees, Firestone is a community-oriented and responsible corporate neighbor.