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Last updated on Friday, August 22, 2008
(MITCHELL) - Lawrence County had a simulated scare in Mitchell late yesterday.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Department combined efforts with the Lawrence County Emergency Management team, Marion Township and Mitchell City Fire Departments and Mitchell Police to simulate a hazardous materials emergency yesterday near Lehigh.
Lawrence County Sheriff Sam Craig tells WBIW News the simulated situation revolved around an accident that resulted in a chemical spill that, were it to happen in reality, could create a dangerous situation.
Craig says 30 people volunteered to be patients while police and fire crews simulated what's called a "hot zone," or an area that chemicals or other dangerous materials would make it very hazardous to enter. However, Craig also said the departments stopped their simulation short of creating actual shutdowns or evacuations.
Fire crews made a test call to the Naval base at Crane for a HAZMAT response team which, Craig says, would have taken about 35 minutes to arrive.
Craig says, given the equipment and personnel that area departments have available, he believes that Lawrence County is as well-equipped to handle a HAZMAT situation, and says he was pleased with the outcome.
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