Essity’s Barton facility held an appreciation event for first responders earlier this week.
The hygiene and health company wanted to recognize those who responded to a fire that broke out in one of its paper storage warehouses in August 2024. More than 40 local emergency response organizations answered the call and were successful in containing the fire without injury.
“Back in August 2024, our employees watched anxiously as a fire broke out in one of our paper storage warehouses,” said Steve Edwards, site manager at Essity Barton. “Thanks to the bravery and tenacity of local first responders, the fire was quickly contained, and our people and operations were protected.”
Shane Taylor, interim chief of the Barton Volunteer Fire Department, said, “When the call came in, nearly 400 people across 40 agencies came together with one mission: to protect lives and contain the fire. Their professionalism and teamwork made all the difference, and we couldn’t have done it without every department that answered the call.”
As part of the event, each local responder department was presented a plaque. The company also made a financial reimbursement to the participating organizations as a way of giving back for their extraordinary service to the Barton community.
The Barton facility manufactures paper products under Essity’s global Tork brand. It employs more than 550 Shoals-area residents, who were directly impacted by the incident.
Essityusa.com