Emergency crews practice for chemical incident
The exercise contained a hazmat chemical spill element where decontamination was required from a portable shower. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
As hot as it was Thursday evening, participants never buckled. Hazmat suits became saunas. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Students from the Superior High School drama department played victims in the exercise. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
EMTs and fire departments worked cohesively in the training exercise. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
A mass casualty exercise was recently held at the Mineral County Airport, allowing participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans and capabilities for response to an Incident with a chemical component.
The exercise was developed by the Mineral County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) and Department of Emergency Services (DES). The exercise and materials were produced with input, advice, and assistance from the LEPC Exercise Planning Team, which followed guidance set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, quite possibly the largest emergency preparedness exercise in the county commenced. While the airport was the location of the simulated accident, personnel from Mineral County DES, Frenchtown Rural Fire District, West End/St. Regis/ Superior Volunteer Fire Departments, Mineral County Highway Patrol, Mineral Community Hospital, Superior Area Ambulance Service, Montana Department of Transportation, Montana State Disaster and Emergency Services and the Life Flight network were on location or responding to the tarmac.
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