SHELBY – On Tuesday, I wore a very different hat than I normally have on.
In typical fashion, I was asked by the Richland County Emergency Management Agency to observe their full-scale emergency exercise of Richland County’s emergency response personnel. However, this time it was as a participant.
The emergency exercise took place on Tuesday for approximately four hours, designed by Richland County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee. The exercise allows first responders and other supporting agencies to test their strengths and identify any weaknesses that may need addressed.
These exercises are required by the state of Ohio, and graded by evaluators. My role in Tuesday’s event was as an evaluator, where I was required to document my observations and complete an exercise evaluation guide for my assigned area. Specifically, I was asked to evaluate whether accurate information was coordinated and disseminated to the media and the public in a timely manner.
As a reporter it’s not often I see the behind-the-scenes work of the county’s emergency personnel. That being said, many details of the exercise are confidential and will remain that way.
My day as an evaluator began at 7 a.m. at the drill’s headquarters at Pioneer Career & Technology Center. Myself and other evaluators were briefed on the day’s activities and our duties by Roger Norcross of the University of Findlay’s All Hazards Training Center.
The exercise was meant to be a positive but constructive learning environment, where participants exercised emergency response plans and procedures to manage a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incident. As Norcross mentioned, both strengths and weaknesses would be identified and it was not uncommon to find chinks in the armor, so to speak.
The scenario given to respond to on Tuesday was a chemical rail car accident in Shelby, near Pioneer Career and Technology Center. Responders were required and encouraged to respond in similar fashion as they would a real emergency, and had to address responder personnel safety, population protection, emergency public information and emergency medical services, among others.
Five “victims” of the disaster were even transported to OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, where the hospital’s emergency response team was activated. The five “patients” were processed through a decontamination tent before entering the hospital.
As a full-scale emergency exercise, the entire city of Shelby and the county was involved in Tuesday’s drill. The day’s events involved approximately 250 participants from multiple agencies across Shelby and Richland, Knox and Ashland counties. Various participants of the exercise included actors playing victims or bystanders, players that were actually responding, and controllers managing the scenario.
Additional participating agencies included the state EMA and Environmental Protection Agency, Shelby’s Police, Fire and Health Departments, Richland County Commissioners, Shelby City Schools, administration from the city of Shelby, and the Citizens Emergency Response Team. Private and non-profit agencies included the American Red Cross, Community EMS, and the Ohio Special Response Team.
Mike Bailey, Richland County’s EMA Director, stated after the exercise that the day provided a good learning experience for all involved. Many positives came from the day, as well as areas of improvement.
“This county is blessed with good people, and a lot of good ideas,” Bailey said.
For my part, I was able to witness what happens when an entire county of resources comes together to solve one problem. We truly are lucky to live in a place that fosters and encourages this kind of collaboration for the good of its citizens. However, I’ll cross my fingers that this disaster training will not have to be put to use.
