Pictured from left to right: River Parishes Community College Chancellor Quintin Taylor, Louisiana State Representative Terry Landry, Jr.’s Legislative Assistant Carl Cavalier, Louisiana DPS Principal Assisistant, Chief Bryan J. Adams, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Public and Stakeholder Engagement Lead Michael Smith, Louisiana State Representative C. Denise Marcelle, Fire Chief & Ascension Parish CAER Chairman Chief James E. LeBlanc, FETA Superintendent Chief Tracey Normand, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Director of CO₂ Pipelines William “Billy” Biggers
The Louisiana State Fire & Emergency Training Academy (FETA) and River Parishes Community College (RPCC) officially launched the Louisiana Pipeline Emergency Training Program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday in Baton Rouge. This innovative program, made possible through ExxonMobil’s donation of $50,000, as well as the contribution of the training prop and teaching curriculum valued together at more than $500,000, represents a significant investment in Louisiana’s emergency preparedness.
The program features a first-of-its-kind CO₂ pipeline training prop and provides Louisiana’s firefighters and first responders with hands-on, scenario-based instruction for CO₂ pipeline emergencies. The program is designed to strengthen statewide emergency response readiness, reinforcing ExxonMobil’s long-standing commitment to community safety and workforce training.
“Pipelines are an important part of Louisiana’s infrastructure and energy future, but with that comes responsibility,” said Chief Bryan J. Adams, Louisiana DPS Principal Assistant, State Fire Marshal. “This equipment and program will give Louisiana’s firefighters the hands-on experience they need to respond quickly, effectively and safely.”
The two-part training program includes classroom instruction at RPCC in Gonzales and field exercises at FETA in Baton Rouge. Participants will receive foundational education in pipeline terminology, equipment, operations and the unique hazards associated with liquid and CO₂ transport. They will then apply what they’ve learned through hands-on training that includes live fire and release simulations using the new CO₂ prop. With ExxonMobil’s sponsorship, the course is free for participants and provides practical, real-world training in managing and controlling CO₂ releases and pipeline-related fires.
As the owner and operator of the largest CO2 pipeline network in the United States, ExxonMobil worked closely with the National Association of State Fire Marshals to develop the first and only emergency response curriculum for first responders with CO2 assets in their jurisdictions. This training is designed to be locally available and to meet the needs of today’s fire service.
“At ExxonMobil, safety is our core value, and training is the foundation of safety,” said Brian Carlin, CO₂ Operations Manager at ExxonMobil. “We’re proud to work alongside FETA and RPCC to make world-class CO₂ emergency training available right here in Louisiana, helping to ensure every firefighter, from urban departments to rural parishes, has access to the tools and skills needed to respond safely and effectively.”
Prior to Tuesday’s ceremony, FETA and RPCC hosted the inaugural Louisiana Pipeline Emergency Training class over the weekend. Sponsored by ExxonMobil, local firefighters learned about the properties of CO₂ and applied their knowledge in a live demonstration using the new custom-built prop, simulating real-world pipeline emergency conditions for advanced, expert-led training.
“We are grateful to ExxonMobil for introducing new and innovative tools that enhance the proactive training of first responders,” said Chancellor Quintin Taylor of RPCC. “This program allows teams to practice real-life scenarios, ensuring the safety of both our communities and our responders.”
Located strategically in Louisiana’s Capital Region, the program ensures local emergency responders with CO2 assets in their parishes have convenient access to this specialized pipeline emergency training that strengthens preparedness and protects Louisiana’s residents, firefighters, first responders and communities.