In a message marking National Firefighting and Safety Day on Sept. 29, Shakeri called on petrochemical industry managers to improve firefighters’ professional standing, strengthen workforce motivation, expand specialized training, modernize equipment and maintain operational readiness.
“Sept. 29, National Firefighting and Safety Day, commemorates the courage and self-sacrifice of firefighters who, during the years of the Iran-Iraq War, stood alongside other combatants and oil industry workers to protect the country’s vital facilities and assets,” he said.
Shakeri said petrochemical firefighters continued to play a critical role in protecting lives, securing facilities and sustaining production.
He added that the strategic importance of health, safety and environment (HSE) operations had been clearly demonstrated during recent attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
“Relying on their dedication, commitment, self-sacrifice, presence in the field, vigilance and operational expertise, they successfully controlled and managed incidents in the petrochemical industry under complex and hazardous conditions,” Shakeri said, adding that their performance had once again demonstrated their professional capabilities and level of preparedness.
The experience underscored the need for senior petrochemical industry managers to prioritize firefighters’ professional development, workforce motivation, specialized training, equipment modernization and operational readiness, he said.
“Industry resilience during crises depends directly on the preparedness of the people who bear the heavy responsibility of protecting lives and national assets when incidents occur,” Shakeri said.
He also stressed that, alongside technical and operational requirements, safety culture must be embedded at every organizational level, becoming a shared belief and practice among managers, employees and contractors.
Concluding his message, Shakeri congratulated the petrochemical industry workforce, particularly HSE personnel, on National Firefighting and Safety Day and praised their efforts to protect lives, safeguard facilities and sustain domestic production.
He expressed confidence that the industry would continue to strengthen safety, resilience and operational stability by relying on the knowledge, experience, preparedness and sense of responsibility of its workforce.