Local Emergency Responders Participate in Hazardous Material Mitigation Tabletop Exercise

Local emergency personnel gathered in the Knox-Center Township Fire Department Wednesday morning to discuss how to test preparedness by responding to a hypothetical incident involving a hazardous chemical.

Starke County EMA Director J. Nier ran the exercise and it was monitored by Pulaski County EMA Director Sherri Gaillard. Officials from the medical field, law enforcement and fire departments were there to participate.

ISP Trooper Jim Strong was the first person on the scene of the hypothetical accident where a distracted semi driver carrying 6,000 of Anhydrous Ammonia crashed into a train track guardrail, damaging the tanker and causing a pungent white cloud to fill the air. Continue reading

Charlie Collins and Kris Rannells Give Starke County Commissioners First Responder Report

Charlie Collins (L) and Kris Rannells give the Frist Responders report to the Starke County Commissioners

The Starke County Commissioners heard a report on the First Responder Training from Charlie Collins and Kris Rannells. There are now 9 certified first responders since November 15th. All scored over 90% and are operating at this time.

Every fire department in the County now has at least one first responder. The protocols are written and have been approved, according to Rannells.

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