Community Calendar 2011
Cover art created by Annabelle Midcalf Shields Elementary Swan Valley Public Schools Age 10 Art on this page created by Morgan Strzynski St. Peter Lutheran Hemlock Age 10
Dear Neighbors: In honor of the 50th anniversary of Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, we and the Dow Corning Healthcare Industries Materials Site are pleased to present the first annual Community Calendar, which reflects our deep commitment to safety and innovation. Enclosed, you will find: A Community Safety Information tab and Quick Safety Tips card which explain what you and others should do in case of a community emergency whether it s a chemical incident or weather-related. A dedicated Information Line telephone number and Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation website listed at the top of each page for current safety news and information. The dates of safety-related events, such as Severe Weather week or Bike Safety Month, to help you and your family create an even safer lifestyle. We recommend that you review this information carefully with your family. Furthermore, if you work in a business or attend group gatherings, we strongly suggest that you have an in-house emergency plan should you hear a site siren. While this calendar is focused on safety, it is also designed to inspire kids and adults alike about solar energy. Guided by the theme, Making a Better World with Solar Energy, children at local elementary schools were asked to create pictures to support that theme. Winners are featured throughout the calendar, as are helpful solar energy facts. Many thanks go to the principals, teachers, children and judges who made this happen. We hope that you find this calendar to be useful, informative and inspiring! Warm regards, Jim Cross Hemlock Site Manager Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation Darren Cammin Healthcare Industries Materials Site Manager Dow Corning Corporation
Did You Know? Hannah Beagle Ling Elementary Hemlock Public Schools Age 11 Fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are the world s main source of energy, but they are depleting quickly as demand increases. This, combined with growing concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change, is driving companies like Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Dow Corning to support the promise of solar power as a clean, renewable energy option. We collaborate with government, industry and academia to help drive innovative solar solutions.
January 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year s Day 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Martin Luther King Jr. Day 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Did You Know? Meghan Blaine St. John s Lutheran Hemlock Age 9 It only takes eight minutes for solar energy to travel from the sun to the earth, and most of it is never used. Thanks to photovoltaic technology, however, sunlight can be turned directly into electricity. Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation plays an important role by providing the base material a high-purity solar-grade polycrystalline silicon for solar wafer and cell manufacturers around the world.
February 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 American Heart Month Groundhog Day Chinese New Year 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Week 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Valentine s Day Susan B. Anthony Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 President s Day 27 28
Did You Know? Braliegh Hayes Freeland Elementary Age 11 Solar energy is not only responsible for life on Earth, but also for weather patterns and ocean currents. Today, it is a growing source of clean, affordable energy too. From 1999 to 2008, for example, domestic shipments of photovoltaic cells and modules increased 65-fold and in 2008 alone, total installed capacity of solar systems in the U.S. rose 16%.
March 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Workplace Eye Health & Safety Awareness Month 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Fat Tuesday Ash Wednesday 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Daylight Saving Time begins; set clocks ahead one hour; replace batteries in smoke & radon detectors St. Patrick s Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Spring Begins 27 28 29 30 31 Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week Begins
Did You Know? Jon Godek Havens Elementary Swan Valley Public Schools Age 11 About 97% of solar-generated electricity is photovoltaic. Solar-grade polycrystalline silicon from Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation is used in everything from small cells that charge calculator and watch batteries, to systems that power single homes, to huge power plants that supply the electric grid.
April 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 National Recycling Month April Fool s Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Palm Sunday Passover Earth Day Good Friday Freeland Walleye Festival Freeland Walleye Festival 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Easter Sunday Freeland Walleye Festival Arbor Day (plant a tree!)
Did You Know? Jenna Renae Gregory Freeland Elementary Age 10 The concept of solar power is nothing new. In 1447, Leonardo da Vinci predicted solar industrialization. In the 1830s, astronomer John Herschel used a solar thermal collector box to cook food in Africa. In 1921, Einstein earned the Nobel Peace Prize for experiments using solar power and photovoltaics (PVs). In 1954, the first practical PV cell was developed by Bell Telephone researchers. And, by the late 1950s, PV cells were being used to help power U.S. space satellites. Since the 1990s, PV applications have greatly expanded due to technology advances and government incentives.
May 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 National Bike Safety Month Cinco de Mayo 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Mother s Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 National Safe Boating Week Begins 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day
Did You Know? Rachel Brown Ling Elementary Hemlock Public Schools Age 11 Germany is the world s largest user of solar energy despite its cloudy climate, followed by Spain, Japan and the U.S. In our country, solar provides electricity and hot water to more than 100,000 homes, businesses and utilities. By 2030, solar power should generate between 4-9% of electricity in the U.S. and around 9-14% worldwide.
June 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 National Safety Month (ASSE) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Flag Day Shields Festival Shields Festival Shields Festival 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Father s Day Shields Festival Summer Begins 26 27 28 29 30
Did You Know? Matthew Werle Havens Elementary Swan Valley Public Schools Age 11 As a clean and abundant form of energy, solar power is critical to reducing greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which are believed to contribute to climate change. By 2030, solar power should save 8.9 billion tons of CO2. Every megawatt of installed solar, in fact, saves approximately 600 tons of CO2 annually.
July 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 National Fireworks Safety Month Canada Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Independence Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Did You Know? Jacob Crook Freeland Learning Center Age 7 Solar farms are a growing source of renewable power generation. The new photovoltaic power plant at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada which uses high-purity solar-grade polysilicon covers 140 acres and generates 14.2 megawatts of electricity. As the largest solar power plant in North America, it will reduce carbon emissions by 24,000 tons over the next 30 years the equivalent of removing over 185,000 cars from the roads or planting 260,000 acres of trees.
August 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 National Immunization Awareness Month Ramadan Begins Merrill Farm Fest Begins 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Women s Equality Day
Did You Know? Shelby Collins Hemlock Elementary Age 7 The energy payback for a photovoltaic (PV) solar system is two to four years depending on the type of technology and where it is installed. This means that over 30 years, a solar system should deliver 26-28 years of clean electricity. The good news is that the price of PV solar power panels has dropped 200 percent over the last 30 years and government incentives are making them even more affordable.
September 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 National Preparedness Month 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Labor Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Grandparents Day Hemlock Sawdust Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 National Farm Safety Week Autumn Begins 25 26 27 28 29 30 Rosh Hashanah Begins
Did You Know? Spencer Kitsch Freeland Elementary Age 12 The solar industry is stimulating the economy. For each megawatt of solar energy manufactured in the U.S., 33 jobs are created and 10 million jobs are anticipated by 2030. Because the solar industry is still young, it is actually creating more jobs than traditional energy sources. Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation has more than 1,000 workers at its Thomas Township site who support the solar and other industries.
October 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 National Crime Prevention Month 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Yom Kippur 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 National Fire Prevention Week (NFPA) Columbus Day Thanksgiving (Canada) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 National School Bus Safety Week 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Halloween
Did You Know? Isabella Turner Ling Elementary Hemlock Public Schools Age 10 A hot shower might feel great, but at least 30% of our total energy consumption is used to heat water in homes, buildings, swimming pools and more. Solar power can cut water bills by more than 50% each year in homes that replace traditional electric water heaters with solar energy systems.
November 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Daylight Saving Time ends; move clocks back an hour; replace batteries in smoke & radon detectors Election Day Veterans Day 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thanksgiving Day
Did You Know? Anna Dornseifer Shields Elementary Swan Valley Public Schools Age 8 Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Dow Corning believe that multiple solar technologies will be necessary to satisfy the world s needs for clean, renewable energy. Both companies, in fact, have announced more than $4 billion in investments in the U.S. in the last five years, including more than $2.5 billion in Michigan to expand capacity for polycrystalline silicon, a key raw material for photovoltaic applications.
December 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 National Safe Toys & Gifts Month 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Hanukkah Begins Winter Begins 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Christmas Day Kwanzaa Begins Boxing Day New Year s Eve
Community Safety Information Be Safe. Be Informed. Below, you will find helpful information on how to prepare for a potential chemical emergency. In addition, please refer to the Quick Safety Tips card for a fast reference; it can be detached or copied for use at work or in your car. The following safety information is posted on our website too, at, which also features: Information about warning sirens Icons that signal community alert status Copies of Community Connection newsletters that are mailed to area residents Chemical Fact Sheets Please familiarize yourself with this information at your earliest convenience. Shelter-In-Place What is shelter-in-place? Shelter-in-place is a proven and effective method of protecting you and your family from the hazardous effects of chemical accidents, such as liquid chemical spills, vapor releases and fires involving hazardous materials. Such accidents, while rare, could happen at any time and virtually anywhere. Possible sources of a chemical emergency include manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, warehouses, retail establishments, farms, agricultural product centers, gas stations, and transportation (such as trucks and rail cars). How do I shelter-in-place? 1. When the Community Notification System is activated, immediately take your family and pets indoors. 2. Tightly close and latch all doors and windows. 3. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. 4. Close fireplace dampers and any other vents to the outside. 5. Gather your emergency supply kit (see the following page). 6. Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and close the door. 7. Stuff damp towels in the open space between door and floor. 8. If necessary, seal doors, windows and any vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting. 9. If you smell chemicals, breathe through wet washcloths or towels. 10. Stay in the room and listen to the radio or watch TV for further instructions. 11. If told to evacuate, follow instructions given by emergency personnel.
When should I shelter-in-place? Why an above-ground room? You should follow shelter-in-place procedures whenever you receive notification of a chemical emergency. This may be broadcast over the radio or cable television, directly by emergency personnel, or by the Community Notification System (such as sirens or telephone alerts). You should also shelter-in-place when you see or smell any unusual chemicals in the air. Why not evacuate? While evacuations may be needed in rare situations, there would normally not be enough time to safely evacuate all affected individuals. Evacuation also endangers emergency personnel and individuals being evacuated by potentially exposing them to the chemicals in question. What if I m in a vehicle? If you are inside a vehicle during a chemical emergency, stop the vehicle at a safe location as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive home or to another location. Shut off the vehicle s engine, and follow the same basic shelter-in-place procedures. Roll up the windows, close vents, and turn on the radio for further instructions. What about children at school? On-Site Sirens Warning Sirens in the Community If your children are at school or with a care provider, do not attempt to get them. Doing so could put you and them in danger. They are safest at school until the emergency is over. Unlike a tornado emergency, basements are not recommended shelter locations for chemical accidents. Most chemicals are heavier than air and will accumulate in low lying areas, like basements. So, an above-ground room is the safest spot during a chemical emergency. If you do not have an above-ground room, a ground-level room will work fine. If possible, select a room on the side of the house farthest from the source of the chemical. What do the siren sounds mean? We recommend you visit our website for audio examples of on-site sirens and the community warning siren. Below are descriptions: The Muster Alert, Site or Building Evacuations sirens mean that Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation employees and contractors need to take action by either sheltering-in-place or evacuating a building/area. Even though you may hear them, these sirens are meant for those groups only. These sirens are activated by Saginaw County 9-1-1 and are used to alert the community in the event of severe weather or a chemical incident. How will I know when it is safe to go outside? This will depend on the nature and location of the emergency, but could occur in one of several ways: radio, television, directly by emergency personnel, or via the Community Notification System (such as sirens or telephone alerts). Community Safety Information
Should I call 9-1-1 for information? Authorities request that you do not call 9-1-1 unless you have a medical emergency or need immediate assistance. Non-emergency calls to 9-1-1 will tie up phone lines and dispatch personnel, preventing them from addressing true emergencies. What media sources will have emergency information? Tune into your local media outlets for additional emergency information. What should I have in my emergency supply kit? It is recommended that you have supplies assembled for all types of emergencies, including chemical accidents. Suggested items for chemical emergencies include: bottled water, towels & washcloths, plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors (for cutting plastic), radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit. What is the siren alarm / emergency system testing schedule? Our Safety Mindset The employees at Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Dow Corning have a mindset of putting safety first and foremost, 24-7. It s a commitment to each other, our families and the communities in which we live and work. As a core value, safety is actively promoted and practiced by employees, contractors, customers and suppliers. Our safety mindset includes: Management commitment to meeting the codes and requirements of Responsible Care Implementation of behavior-based safety practices and a Zero Lost-Time Injury Focus Active contractor participation Community engagement, including Community Advisory Panels and close cooperation with emergency responders Transportation safety Process safety management Tight security See www.hscpoly.com/content/hsc_ehs/safety.aspx for details. ALARM / SYSTEM FREQUENCY SCHEDULE Building evacuation Monthly First Sunday of the month (time will vary). Site evacuation siren and muster alarms Monthly First Monday of month @ approximately 9:00 a.m. Contractor Emergency Notification Monthly First Monday of month @ approximately 9:00 a.m. System (sirens) Saginaw County 9-1-1 Monthly First Wednesday of month @ Noon Community Warning Sirens Responsible Care is a trademark of the American Chemistry Council.
Quick Safety Tips What to do in a major emergency. Below is important safety information from Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and the Dow Corning Healthcare Industries Materials Site: 1. Emergency Notification If there is a community emergency due to weather or a chemical incident, Saginaw County 9-1-1 will activate its Community Notification System and sirens (see below). If you have registered your contact information on the Community Notification System, you will receive safety instructions via a phone call, text message or e-mail (depending on what numbers/e-mail addresses you registered in the system). You can register your contact information at www.saginawcounty911.com. Note: You may hear other on-site testing sirens that occur the first Sunday and Monday of every month. 2. Actions to Take You should: Go indoors immediately. Stay calm. Close all windows and doors. Block drafts and stop ventilation fans. Listen to the local radio or TV. Periodically check the Information Line and our website for updates (see the number and address at the top of this page.) Do not: Do not pick up children from school (schools will handle emergencies) or elsewhere. Do not go outside; wait until told it is safe or the all-clear has been issued. Do not call emergency services unless you have a separate emergency. All clear The All-Clear communication will be delivered by Saginaw County 9-1-1. 3. Where to Get More Information Watch a local TV channel or listen to a local radio station. Follow the instructions you receive from emergency personnel. Use the Information Line, 989.642.2800, to get updated incident information. Quick Safety Tips Card