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First responders run drills
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| George Jared/Paxton News Bureau Emergency responders from Greene, Lawrence and Randolph counties suited up for a fictional drill at the Walnut Ridge Airport Tuesday. Hazmat team members scrubbed their suits to remove potential contaminants. |
By George Jared
Paxton News Bureau
WALNUT RIDGE — Emergency responders from Greene, Lawrence and Randolph counties participated Tuesday in a Hazmat drill at the Walnut Ridge Airport.
The scenario involved a military C-130 cargo plane being forced to land due to hydraulic problems, Lawrence County Office of Emergency Management Director Stephen Jones said. Industrial chemicals became dislodged in the craft, possibly poisoning some or all of the seven fictional crew members on the plane.
“We wanted to create a realistic scenario for our teams,” Jones said.
C-130 transport and cargo planes and other military aircraft perform training exercises at the airport, officials said. The aircraft was flown in from Little Rock for the exercise.
The drill was intended to test emergency response crews in the advent of an actual emergency, Jones said. Walnut Ridge Fire Chief Alan Haskins was in charge of the local emergency response. Each year the three counties rotate where the drill is conducted.
Hazmat teams from all three counties participated as did fire departments from throughout the area. Teams were required to suit up in hazard gear and use all precautions and procedures in commencing the drill.
During a search of the plane, at least one of the fictional crew members died. A dummy representing the body was carried off the plane on a stretcher.
Arkansas Army National Guard spokesman Keith E. Moore said having the exercise at the airport was important because it could be a forward staging area if an earthquake strikes along the New Madrid fault.
“The runway is suited for heavy aircraft,” Moore said. “It’s good for us to coordinate with local responders and build those important personal relationships, so that if a real disaster occurs we’ll be ready.”
A special radio channel was secured for the drill. More than 60 team members took part in the exercise. Greene County Judge Jesse Dollars, Lawrence County Judge Alex Latham, Walnut Ridge Mayor Michelle Rogers and Lawrence County Sheriff Dan Ellison were among observers.
The 61st Civil Support Team was also flown in from Camp Robinson in North Little Rock to study the chemicals on the plane. Support Team members arrived on a Blackhawk helicopter and methodically probed the plane in suits.
The Support Team is called in when there’s a possibility of nuclear, chemical or radiological contamination, officials said.
Information from the event was gathered, and a report will be sent to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management in a few weeks, Jones said. Teams had specific guidelines they were required to follow, and how well the list was followed will be included.
Members of the National Guard and Civil Support Team were scheduled to debrief some of the crews after the drill.
Cooperation among the varying agencies is key to running a successful drill, Jones said. “I think we met all of our objectives today,” Jones said. “We’ve all worked together for awhile now, and we all get along real well.”
The scenario involved a military C-130 cargo plane being forced to land due to hydraulic problems, Lawrence County Office of Emergency Management Director Stephen Jones said. Industrial chemicals became dislodged in the craft, possibly poisoning some or all of the seven fictional crew members on the plane.
“We wanted to create a realistic scenario for our teams,” Jones said.
C-130 transport and cargo planes and other military aircraft perform training exercises at the airport, officials said. The aircraft was flown in from Little Rock for the exercise.
The drill was intended to test emergency response crews in the advent of an actual emergency, Jones said. Walnut Ridge Fire Chief Alan Haskins was in charge of the local emergency response. Each year the three counties rotate where the drill is conducted.
Hazmat teams from all three counties participated as did fire departments from throughout the area. Teams were required to suit up in hazard gear and use all precautions and procedures in commencing the drill.
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Arkansas Army National Guard spokesman Keith E. Moore said having the exercise at the airport was important because it could be a forward staging area if an earthquake strikes along the New Madrid fault.
“The runway is suited for heavy aircraft,” Moore said. “It’s good for us to coordinate with local responders and build those important personal relationships, so that if a real disaster occurs we’ll be ready.”
A special radio channel was secured for the drill. More than 60 team members took part in the exercise. Greene County Judge Jesse Dollars, Lawrence County Judge Alex Latham, Walnut Ridge Mayor Michelle Rogers and Lawrence County Sheriff Dan Ellison were among observers.
The 61st Civil Support Team was also flown in from Camp Robinson in North Little Rock to study the chemicals on the plane. Support Team members arrived on a Blackhawk helicopter and methodically probed the plane in suits.
The Support Team is called in when there’s a possibility of nuclear, chemical or radiological contamination, officials said.
Information from the event was gathered, and a report will be sent to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management in a few weeks, Jones said. Teams had specific guidelines they were required to follow, and how well the list was followed will be included.
Members of the National Guard and Civil Support Team were scheduled to debrief some of the crews after the drill.
Cooperation among the varying agencies is key to running a successful drill, Jones said. “I think we met all of our objectives today,” Jones said. “We’ve all worked together for awhile now, and we all get along real well.”
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