Holmes LEPC stays prepared with full-scale disaster training

It was cold.

It was rainy.

The conditions were far from ideal on the morning of Saturday, May 11, but then again, disasters aren’t dictated by perfect conditions.

Despite the poor weather, the participating members of the Holmes County Local Emergency Planning Committee’s full-scale exercise on May 11 carried on their duties diligently and successfully, executing even the smallest of details to the satisfaction of a panel of EMA directors from around the state and earning a glowing report that helped Holmes County earn high marks for its effort.

The LEPC full-scale exercise took place at the Holmes County Fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge and ended with a trip to the outdoor hazmat tent at Pomerene Hospital. In between, members from local law enforcement, fire departments and Pomerene Hospital staff nailed their effort to successfully contain a hydrochloric acid spill and transport two patients to the hospital.

“Our first responders did a fantastic job of containing the situation and in rescuing the two patients we had,” said Holmes County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Troyer.

The training session is designed to give emergency response teams experience in dealing with a catastrophic event and is required by the state.

The exercise tested eight objectives and consisted of personnel responding to a semi-tractor trailer rollover leaking anhydrous ammonia, a pungent, colorless and toxic gas or liquid that, when concentrated, is corrosive to human tissue upon contact.

“We had a lot of partners participating and everything is set and up and ready to go,” Troyer said.

Fire District #1 was the primary responder because it was in its district. Western Holmes provided a mutual response squad, Killbuck Fire and EMS provided an engine and East Holmes had its hazmat team there.

In addition, Millersburg Police and Holmes County Sheriff’s Office members participated, and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office dispatch was also evaluated during the event.

The participants evaluating the full-scale exercise included directors from the counties of Wayne, Tuscarawas, Coshocton and Stark, as well as Ohio EMA directors.

Troyer was excited about the overall effort and so too were the evaluators.

“Ohio EMA did say that we met all of the objectives for the exercise and will be recommending to the state for concurrence,” Troyer said. “That means we have met all of the requirements for the exercise.”

Barbara Pittard, Wayne County EMA director, served as one of the evaluators. She said these types of events are critical to providing expert training sessions that allow counties to prepare for disastrous situations.

“Each evaluator has a different set of criteria they are evaluating,” Pittard said.

Those assessments include evaluating incident assessment and command, communication, EMS tactics, hazmat response and more.

Pittard said each objective comes with different points of review that must be met.

“It’s a wonderful learning environment,” Pittard said, noting that Wayne County’s full-scale assessment will be coming this October. “It’s a great test for first responders to go through the drill, and it’s important because it helps us discover where any gaps are in the process that we might be able to address before a disaster actually happens.”

Wayne County’s exercise will feature a hazardous spill next to a chemical plant with a daycare next door, meaning an evacuation will be part of the process.

She said any time a county can coordinate a response situation like this it only helps build continuity, communication and expertise in addressing disasters.

Following the drill, all participants enjoyed a meal together before dispersing.

“We are thankful to have EMAs come in and help us evaluate our scale exercises,” Troyer said. “We’re also thankful for our first responders, to Harvest Ridge and to Doug Cooper.”

Harvest Ridge allowed the EMA to use the facility and Cooper provided one of his company’s trucks, both at no charge.

Troyer went on to note that there will be a follow-up meeting of the Holmes County LEPC committee members to discuss the results.