Hazardous Accident: Just a Drill

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By Branden Ferguson, Multi Media Video Journalist - bio | email

KENTON, OHIO -

Imagine a chemical spill in Hardin County that not only led to multiple injuries, but contaminated victims. Simulating an accident and the spread of contamination, Hardin County's emergency personnel trained for a full-scale disaster at the Hardin County fairgrounds.

With EMS, fire and law enforcement on the scene, crews attempted to control and contain a mock accident involving hazardous material. Many emergency personnel will never experience a scenario such as this one, but it allows everyone participating to learn from the event while honing in on their skills.

As a part time auxiliary deputy for the sheriff's department, Kevin Cieplowski is happy to not only train for a hazardous accident, but have the ability to work with emergency personnel from all departments.

Stephanie Jolliff encourages her students to assist with mock accidents and other training events, as it allows the students to not only give back to the men and women that do so much, it also allows them to gain a better understanding of the emergency process.

Utilizing the county's All Hazards Plan is something Chairman Dean Hankins is excited for. Testing the men and women of all departments all at once, is something that rarely occurs.

Saturday's mock disaster allows the local emergency planning committee to do just that.

Also taking part in Saturday's training, local hospitals, nursing homes and Red Cross facilities opened their doors to injured and contaminated victims. The mock disaster simulated everything up to a possible evacuation of Kenton and the surrounding area.