The Westinghouse Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) emergency response organization supports the site 24/7. Because our plant is in a relatively remote area, we have the capability to respond at any time to almost any emergency that could occur on-site. On occasion, we have the opportunity to help our neighbors.
Recently, our CFFF emergency response team reacted to a serious two-car accident on Bluff Road near Columbia’s entrance.
On Wednesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 2 a.m. ET, a male driver rammed the back of a woman’s car traveling east on Bluff Road. His car skidded and burst into flames, while the woman’s car rolled three times, landing in the nearby brush, narrowly missing a power pole. Miraculously, both individuals survived.
Our site’s security team got to the accident location and spoke with the female driver, who had been injured, before our on-site nurse arrived and provided care until EMS transported her to the hospital. The CFFF fire brigade put out the fire in about 15 minutes, starting to spray water before the Columbia Fire Department could reach the accident site and continuing support when local responders were on the scene. Police arrested and charged the male driver involved with DUI.
This follows another incident earlier in the year when our site approved a request from Richland County to land a helicopter in our hay field to respond to a nearby, significant car accident. This action saved Richland County first responders at least 20 minutes in emergency response for the injured individual.
It is always a privilege to be able to help the community, and we thank our brigade, medical and security staff for their selfless act of service in these situations.
