Safety first! Skylar’s Way to a Fire Captain at Evonik

What drives your passion and motivation in your career?

Public service was a big part of my upbringing. At the beginning of my career path, I struggled to find my place in the public service field until Evonik employees pointed me in the direction of working toward becoming a member of my fire department. I look at it as my duty to not just my plant site, but to the community, to protect them from the hazards we face at the plant site.

What do you enjoy most about your job, and what brings you contentment in your work?

I´m in the business of responding to problems and finding solutions. I get fulfillment knowing I contribute to the safety of the plant site as well as being part of the solution to keep everyone on my plant site safe. I work with a great group of guys in my department who are always willing to help each other out when needed. They offer great mentorship and a sense of brotherhood to further fuel my passion for public safety. This is by far the best place I have worked at in my entire professional career. I have a sense of home and brotherhood within my department, and I always enjoy coming to work, even during more difficult times. Evonik has helped my development as a professional by paying for my master's degree in Emergency Services Management, where I hope to one day rise in the ranks within my fire department.

Let us know a bit more about your daily work!

My daily work consists of preparations for any upcoming incidents through a series of meetings as well as inspections of vehicles, equipment, and other safety inspections assigned throughout the plant.  I work with my department to train our new and current emergency response team (ERT) members.  I currently serve as the safety chair for my department and complete other work assignments given to me such as bunker gear and roster management for over 100 ERT members. I respond to all calls for service and responses for any medical, fire, or hazmat related incidents at any given time as well as taking incident command and directing ERT members during responses.

What are some of the challenges you face in your role?

Some challenges I face are still trying to learn more aspects of the plant site and inner workings of certain departments and equipment.  There is always something to learn in the fire service and within the plant.  I have great mentors in my department to educate me as opportunities arise to further my knowledge of the plant site.