Evonik’s Osceola Plant Donates $10,000 In Equipment to Fire Department

Evonik Cyro LLC’s performance polymers facility in Osceola, Ark., has donated nearly $10,000 worth of safety and rescue equipment to the Osceola Fire Department (OFD).

“Safety is critical to Evonik and the Osceola Fire Department,” said Jim Bunn, site manager at Evonik’s Osceola plant, which manufactures acrylic sheet and molding compounds. “When Chief Fleming expressed a need for this type of gear, we wanted to help. We asked what was needed and donated it to the department.”

The equipment included helmets, harnesses, and safety equipment to use for rescue and recovery in confined space situations.

“We made the donation in recognition of the support the Osceola Fire Department has provided to the plant and the Osceola community over the years,” said David Neal Taylor, environmental, health, safety and quality manager at the site. “These safety materials will expand the OFD's current rescue and recovery capabilities to address the growing industrial and manufacturing base in the Mississippi- Osceola area.”

Osceola Fire Department Chief Phillip Fleming thanked Evonik for its generosity.

“We’ve been trying to get equipment like this for a while now,” he explained. “We are very thankful to Evonik for this. At a time when we needed it, Evonik stepped up to the plate to help us out. We are very grateful.”

The Osceola Fire Department provides all fire and rescue services to the community and approximately 30 square miles of Mississippi County including 40 miles of I-55. The Department currently operates out of two fire stations: 200 N. Carthon Drive and 702 S. Ermen Lane.

Evonik’s Osceola plant at1500 Richard Prewitt Drive is well known for its community involvement, donating to organizations such as the Junior Auxiliary of Osceola, a non-profit organization that assists the children through service and educational projects.

“We believe in giving back to the communities in which we live, work and play,” said Bunn. “We continually support the Osceola area by providing donations and also through employees who volunteer their time to participate in community events.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvonikNorthAmerica. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EvonikN_America.