FERNDALE, Wash. — Fire Chief Jim Petrie of Whatcom County Fire District 17 said the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery recently provided his fire district with an equipment grant. The funds were used to replace 2 front line heart defibrillators and to purchase gas detection equipment. Petrie said the gas detection equipment was “some much needed.”
Phillips 66 Public & Government Affairs Director Tim Johnson said in an email they see preparation as crucial to residents’ safety and security. “Ferndale Refinery is privileged to partner with Whatcom County Fire District 17 in that effort given their proximity to the refinery and the service they provide to our neighbors.”
Johnson said they contributed $10,000 towards emergency medical heart defibrillators and gas detection equipment and another $5,000 for incident command vehicle lights and communications equipment.
WCFD17 serves the Sandy Point and Sandy Point Heights neighborhoods to the immediate south of the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery.
Petrie said his fire district has always received much support from the refinery. The refinery donated a Boston Whaler boat in 2017 that was then refurbished and equipped to operate as a marine rescue and firefighting unit. The refinery covered the cost of the retrofitting.