The Marion County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will hold an exercise to test the county’s ability to respond to a chemical spill.  The exercise will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 9:00am and will take place at Nachurs Alpine Solutions.  The Marion City Fire Department, Police Department, City/County Health Departments, American Red Cross, Marion General Hospital and Emergency Management Agency are among those expected to participate in the exercise.

The employees at Nachurs Alpine Solutions will also actively participate in the exercise.  “This is a way for local responders to practice working together with a private facility to ensure we’re prepared if the time comes,” Dennis Kinsler, chairman of the LEPC’s exercise sub-committee said, “It helps us as responders learn how the plant operates, familiarizes us with the layout of the facility, and gives us a chance to get to know the employees at Nachurs, all of which are tremendous benefits during times of disaster.”

During the exercise, emergency personnel will simulate a response similar to how they would respond during a real event, which may catch the attention of those in the area.  Residents living in the vicinity of Nachurs, located at 421 Leader Street, should expect to see emergency response vehicles and personnel on the grounds of Nachurs from about 9:00am-12:00pm.  “We want to make sure our neighbors are aware of the exercise,” David Rose, Vice President of Nachurs cautioned, “we don’t want anyone to feel like they are in danger in any way.”  Residents may also experience minor roadblocks around the exercise area, on Leader Street from Fairground Street to Silver Street.

The public is encouraged to get involved in the exercise by stopping by Hayes Elementary School on Silver Street between 10am and 11am, where the American Red Cross will set up a mock shelter.  “We’re looking for people to stop by the shelter and act as though they have been evacuated from their homes,” said Tarina Rose, Director of the Marion County Red Cross. “this will give our disaster workers the opportunity to practice the shelter process—setting up, serving clients and then tearing down the shelter at the end of the exercise.” The Red Cross will have volunteers available at the mock shelter to talk with families about how to prepare for disasters.

The LEPC exercise is conducted every year to help the community prepare for hazardous material incidents, like spills at facilities, train derailments, and other accidents involving the release of hazardous chemicals.  For more information, please contact the LEPC at 740-494-9911.