With a fleet of almost 170 vehicles and 700 professionals prepared to fight occurrences, the company reinforces its support to surrounding communities with awareness raising and prevention measures

 

Every year, several regions of the globe face a serious problem in the winter, when the climate is drier: increase in fire risk in forests and woods. A proof of that is the 68% increase in the number of fires in Brazil in 2020, compared to 2018*. In this scenario, Atvos, bioenergy company, is prepared to act in the prevention and fight against fires in the states where its agro-industrial units are located.

 

One of the company’s strategies was the investment of almost half a million reais in firefighting equipment and systems, like pickups, hay windrower, Liquid Foam Generator (LFG), non toxic and biodegradable product used to extinguish flames, reservoir for storage of LFG, fire dampers, hiring of airplanes and also the creation of an exclusive logistic center that monitors, in real time, all the movements of fire fighter trucks.

 

At Atvos, 100% of harvest is mechanized, and the practice of burning is forbidden. As precaution, several strict safety procedures are adopted to avoid the start of fires. For example, hourly measurement of harvesters’ temperature with a digital laser thermometer, and, in case it is above normal temperature, the vehicle is turned off, thus avoiding greater damage.

 

“We count on a full structure with professionals trained in our units. That contributes to prevent and fight new fires quickly and safely, in addition to supporting local communities, whenever necessary”, says Rodrigo Vinchi, Atvos agriculture vice president.

 

Another care taken is the presence of a water truck in the units, with an assistant ready to immediately extinguish any start of fire. Besides, in order to facilitate the adoption of quick actions by the teams, local weather conditions are checked with a digital device specific to measure the three climate factors:  air humidity, temperature and wind speed. When humidity is very low, temperature is very high and it is too much windy, activities are interrupted.

 

If, even with all these procedures, fire occurs, Atvos counts on a fleet with almost 170 vehicles and 700 professionals prepared to fight the occurrences, among them, volunteers, firemen and rescuers. The company also participates in the Emergency Mutual Assistance Plan (PAME), group formed by companies, government and community to assist, in an integrated way, in the emergency assistance to fires and burnings.

 

“That whole structure can support the community in the occurrences of fires in the regions where the company is present. Besides, the population awareness of the attitudes required to avoid fire is fundamental, and people must have the contacts of authorities prepared to fight any indication of fire: Fire Department (193) and Civil Defense (199)”, adds Vinchi.

 

In order to contribute to the dissemination of useful guidance to populations, Atvos launches its Campaign for Fire Prevention and Fight in all its units. Composed of external and digital media pieces, the action also counts on educational videos highlighting the attitudes to be adopted in favor of environment preservation and community safety:

 

• Not set fire to garbage and waste;
• Not throw cigarette stubs out;
• Not make burnings;
• Keep land free from materials that spread fire.

 

* Source: INPE – National Institute for Space Research