Grammer Logistics Joins Homeland Security Awareness Seminar in St. Charles Parish, LA
As part of our ongoing commitment to community safety and emergency preparedness, Grammer Logistics was honored to participate in a recent joint awareness seminar hosted by Homeland Security in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. The event brought together 98 representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and First Responders from across the region to focus on chemical safety, emergency response, and interagency coordination.
Representing Grammer Logistics were Rick Mabe, Paul Pittman, Gary Cancino, and Mike Morrison, who provided our MC331 Training Trailer for the event.
A Collaborative Effort in Education and Training
The seminar featured multiple presentations centered on the handling, transport, and emergency response associated with hazardous materials — particularly Anhydrous Ammonia.
- Jorge Cerame, EHS Manager at CF Industries, opened with an informative session on the production and characteristics of Ammonia, setting the stage for deeper technical discussions.
- Rick Mabe followed with a detailed presentation on safe transport practices and emergency protocols related to Anhydrous Ammonia, highlighting Grammer’s key role in ensuring safety across the supply chain.
- The spotlight then shifted to Mike Morrison, who introduced attendees to our MC331 Training Trailer. His demonstration offered a hands-on look at the specialized equipment used in ammonia transport and emphasized the importance of familiarity with this equipment during emergency scenarios.
Attendees were invited to tour the interior of the unit to better understand the trailer’s configuration — a critical step in improving first responder readiness.
A Unified Approach to Emergency Response
Jim Polk, Homeland Security Coordinator, closed the seminar with a compelling presentation on Risk and Emergency Response planning for chemical releases. The seminar concluded with a tabletop readiness exercisethat engaged all attending agencies, simulating coordinated response strategies in real-world scenarios.
In his closing remarks, Polk commended Grammer Logistics, stating:
“I can only hope that if you have to respond to an incident or release, whomever you are dealing with is as organized and ready as Grammer is.”
A Legacy of Preparedness
The St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center, which has managed over 40 emergency situations in recent years—including joint efforts during the Deepwater Horizon incident and numerous hurricanes—underscores the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in protecting our communities.
We are proud to support these efforts and remain committed to advancing safety, preparedness, and industry-leading best practices in every region we serve.
