KNOX – Local first responders and emergency management officials held a large-scale hazardous materials exercise on Wednesday, October 29th.
The exercise was designed to test the communication, coordination, and recovery abilities of responders during a hypothetical hazardous materials incident.
The exercise was organized by the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Starke County Emergency Management Agency. It simulated a hazardous materials accident at the intersection of US Highway 35 and Toto Road. This training, which was planned to last for 4 hours, involved multiple agencies.
The scenario involved a simulated collision between a Dollar General semi truck and a farm truck hauling 2 tanks, resulting in a chemical release and low-visibility, steamy conditions. Responders worked through the situation in real time, managing the simulated hazards, coordinating communication between multiple agencies, and performing recovery procedures.
The exercise began with a mock 911 call reporting the “accident”. Additional mock calls included one from a student on a school bus near the scene reporting breathing difficulties, and later, reports of dead fish and reptiles in nearby ditches, pointing towards contamination.
Teams practiced response coordination, protection, and recovery tasks while also evaluating their readiness for real-world emergencies involving chemical hazards.
