For Immediate Release
Date: Sept. 25, 2014

The donation of $125,000 to the City by a local company will help protect Savannah’s waterfront against a number of hazards.

Elba Liquefaction Co. LLC made the donation to help Savannah Fire and Emergency Services purchase its first All Hazards Response Boat. The donation will be combined with local funding and a $1.2 million Department of Homeland Port Security Grant to purchase the FireStorm 50 vessel.

“Elba Liquefaction Company’s support for the firefighting vessel represents our firm commitment to safety and the Savannah area community,” said Norman Holmes, President of Elba Liquefaction Company, L.L.C. “This vessel will help the City of Savannah continue to provide outstanding emergency response services to businesses located in and around the Port of Savannah. Being a good corporate citizen is a top priority for us, and we look forward to playing an active role in the community for many years to come.”

Savannah Fire provides the first layer of protection along the waterfront for fire protection and prevention, responses to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents. An All Hazards Response Boat will greatly aid Savannah Fire’s response capabilities.

“Savannah Fire’s presence on our waterfront continues to increase with the dramatic growth of the Ports and expansion of industry and residential development along the Savannah River,” said Savannah Fire Chief Charles Middleton. “This vessel will greatly enhance our water-based hazards response capabilities.”

The FireStorm 50 functions as a floating mobile command center, capable of reaching speeds of 37 knots and performing emergency stops and direction changes. It has two 3,500 GPM-rated firefighting pumps, which can produce flow meter results of 7,600 GPM at 150 PSI. The boat includes systems to provide crew protection, decontamination, agent detection and command functions.

Elba Liquefaction Co. LLC is a joint venture between Kinder Morgan and Royal Dutch Shell.

“I want to personally thank Elba Liquefaction Company for stepping forward and offering to be part of the solution,” said Mayor Edna Jackson. “This donation will both increase public safety and help protect a vital component of our economy.”