Chemical Emergency Response More Efficient
(Courtesy of the Richmond Register, published January 15, 2008)

Ronica Shannon
Register News Editor

Madison County’s emergency preparedness program has been given new equipment that will double the number of people who can be decontaminated at one time, said Carl Richards, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.

The purchase of four new decontamination tents could help save lives in the case of a chemical disaster.

Tents are now located at the Richmond and Berea fire departments. The Madison County Fire Department now has one that geared to treat people after they have been through the first part, which is showering.

A separate tent is located at the Madison County Emergency Management Services location on S. Keeneland Drive.

“If we put all four at one site, we would have a much higher rate of processing,” Richards said.

Those who may have been contaminated with toxins would first be sprayed with water, and a more private showering would follow. They then dress in provided, non-contaminated clothing and move to a treatment tent to be checked for medical ailments.

“The treatment part would be an EMS function,” Richards said. “That’s where we decide who needs to go to the hospital first.”

The county’s CSEPP (Chemical Stockpile Preparedness Program) originally had only two decontamination tents and one to take care of medical needs.

“It’s an asset that we didn’t have before and it will only make us better at protecting our community,” Richards said.

“By receiving this equipment, we have doubled the effectiveness of responders to protect the citizens of Madison County,” said Paul Green, CSEPP medical officer.

The equipment is the latest technology for field decontamination and treatment, he said.

Decontamination is the process of identifying and treating individuals who may have come in contact with hazardous chemicals.

A decontamination site is the location of necessary equipment and personnel assembled to assist persons at risk of chemical exposure.

Those who work for the county’s CSEPP program have been operating by using equipment that is four years old, Richards said.

“This expands our capabilities and allows us to have the assets to deploy if it were ever necessary for us to respond to a large scale chemical incident,” he said.

Several local emergency response agencies use the decontamination equipment, including: the Berea City Fire Department, Madison County Emergency Medical Services, the Madison County Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department.

Each department practices using the equipment during the annual emergency preparedness exercise in October.

The $70,000 in equipment purchases were funded through the Department of the Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
.

 

Earthquake Drill to Be Held February 5th, 2008

Madison County will participate in a state-wide earthquake drill on Tuesday Feb.5 at 10:07 a.m.  The drill is expected to last 5-10 minutes.

Residents should be aware this drill will activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) over local radio and cable stations, and tone alert radios.  The outdoor warning sirens will also sound for the drill.

Contact the Madison County EMA at 624-4787

 

 

Chemical ‘victims’ saved
Mock disaster drill a success despite wet weather
(Courtesy of The Richmond Register, published October 25, 2007)

Before being allowed into Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center for “treatment” during Wednesday’s annual Madison County mock disaster drill, EKU student Jeremy Miller is sprayed with water by Jonathan Cross of PAC to help decontaminate him of chemicals. Nearly 20 students from the EKU nursing and paramedic program played “victims” of a chemical spill for the exercise. Nancy Taggart


Ronica Shannon

Register News Writer
 

The rainy weather Wednesday did not stop Madison County’s annual mock disaster drill from kicking off and being a success.

Evaluators from the Army, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other CSEPP (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program) representatives gathered in Richmond to form an evaluation of emergency preparedness in the county.

“They made quite an effort, and it shows,” said Steve Horwitz with FEMA. “From my perspective, they covered the functions that needed to be covered.”

The mock disaster began at about 8:30 a.m. and the county’s 29 emergency sirens chimed to let people know to take action.

“Although we know its an exercise, we take the same actions as we would in a real life situation,” said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

A one-ton container, designed for chemicals, was being moved from one side of the storage igloo to the other side, Sloan said.

It fell off the fork lift during its move, cracked and spilled onto the igloo floor, rolling into the igloo’s open doorway.

The first step was to notify county emergency agencies so they could help the residents evacuate if needed.

Depot officials and employees took care of those who may have been exposed or injured during the accident.

The total damage was then assessed and the tank was taken out of the doorway so that the igloo could remain closed.

Workers took care of the liquid agent outside, and used a decontamination solution for the rest of the igloo’s floor surface, Sloan said.

All parts of the exercise went relatively well, Sloan said.

A draft report will be submitted to Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

“There were some challenges and we learned some things,” said Kelley McBride, public information officer for Madison County’s EMA (Emergency Management Agency)/CSEPP. “Not everything is perfect, but we didn’t expect it to be.”

This year’s exercise involved a lot of participation from Madison County schools and there were more schools participating in the event than ever before.

“I have never seen a group of children that well behaved,” said Karen Drewen, CSEPP public affairs officer based in Maryland. Drewen was referring to how well the students responded to the “shelter in place” command.

“They knew exactly what they needed to do. The staff and the principals did an excellent job. It was really apparent to me that they have practiced this and they know what they’re doing, and it’s a major accomplishment for this community.”

Those participating in the event were the Blue Grass Army Depot, Madison County EMA/CSEPP and representatives from local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, medical personnel from Pattie A. Clay and Berea hospitals, Madison County Health Department, Eastern Kentucky University and Madison County schools.

“Each year we strive to improve our readiness to deal with possible emergencies in Madison County,” said Carl Richards, director of the Madison County EMA. “These annual exercises put our personnel through their paces to practice the plans we have in place. The cooperation among agencies makes us all better at what we do.”

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

 

Officials seek faster destruction of weapons
(Courtesy of The Richmond Register, published October 24, 2007)

Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer
 

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-5th, is joining forces with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and others in speeding up the process of destroying chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot and in Colorado.

A letter from Chandler’s office was sent Oct. 19 to Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, and to Duncan Hunter, a ranking committee member, in support of the recent 2008 Defense Authorization Bill that was an effort of McConnell and Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado.

The letter also is signed by U.S. Reps. John Salzar, D-Colo., Geoff Davis, R-Ky., Harold Rogers, R-Ky., Ron Lewis, R-Ky., Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., Mark Udall, D-Colo., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., and John Yarmuth, D-Ky.

A previous Pentagon budget proposal moved the deadline for chemical weapons destruction from 2012 (which was set by the international Chemical Weapons Convention) to 2023. The deadline already has been extended from 2007 to 2012 as a result of funding stopped by the Pentagon in 2005.

Chandler reminded Skelton and Hunter that the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty requires weapons disposal by 2012.

“The 523 tons of nerve and blister agent at the Blue Grass depot, and the 2,611 tons of mustard agency at the Pueblo (Colo.) depot pose serious risks as the Cold War-era weapons continue to age becoming less stable and serve as terrorist targets,” Chandler wrote. “Not only would a shorter deadline help protect these communities, but it would also save taxpayers about $3.3 billion.”

The bill states: “The United States is committed to making every effort to safely dispose of its entire chemical weapons stockpile by the Chemical Weapons Convention extended deadline of April 29, 2012, or as soon thereafter as possible, and will carry out all of its other obligations under that convention.”

Establishing a new, closer deadline “will ensure that cleanup will be a top priority,” Allard said.

The Senate version of the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill includes the 2017 deadline, “which is absolutely essential for the safe disposal of dangerous chemical weapons on American soil. We are urging conferees to include this critical language in the final bill,” Chandler wrote.

Construction of the pilot plant continues and so far has cost $43,025,148 with $25,438,634 going to Madison County businesses, $2,050,324 going to Kentucky businesses outside of Madison County and $15,536,190 going to businesses outside the state, according to information released in the October project status.

Roadway concrete, potable water and sewer, perimeter fencing, access road, active security vehicle barrier, control building, associated utilities and temporary electrical substation all have been completed.

The update includes works in progress, including the installation of underground utilities, a personnel support building and a maintenance building.

Visit pmacwa.army.mil for more information about the Blue Grass Army weapons disposal project.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

 

 

Lessons learned from mock shooting
(Courtesy of the Richmond Register)

By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

As soon as the gunfire began Thursday morning in the Wallace Building on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus, the county Emergency Management Association (EMA) and several other emergency response groups sprang into action.

Fortunately, this was only a mock campus shooting that served as a response exercise for the city’s and county’s first responders.

The Madison County EMA/CSEPP (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program) and EKU sponsored the event that was in addition to the annual county-wide mock disaster the EMA/CSEPP staff perform in the fall.

This was the first time that a mock disaster scenario drill was conducted on EKU’s campus.

“Exercises like this enable an institution like EKU to further enhance its own safety measures,” said Marc Whitt, associate vice president for public relations and marketing at EKU. “No one ever hopes to have such an emergency, but nevertheless, the exercises are very important so that we’re prepared in case anything should happen.”

The “shooter,” who used a toy noise-making gun and a megaphone to make the shot louder, began the rampage at 11 a.m. and eventually committed suicide.


(Ryan Eidson portraying "the shooter)

Volunteers and mannequins were used as “victims,” of which nine were killed and the rest treated for gunshot wounds and broken bones.


(Volunteer victims Marilyn Richardson and Sara Little wait for law enforcement)

One group participating in Thursday’s event said the scenario was a little graphic, said Carl Richards, director of the Madison County EMA.

“We asked for feedback from everybody who played, and one comment from a group was that it was too real,” Richards said.

Comments from the evaluators had not been returned as of press time Thursday, but overall, Richards said the exercise went very well.

“It was a good learning experience for everyone,” he said. “When you challenge yourself, you always learn something.”


("Victim" Sara Little receives treatment)

Kelley McBride, public information officer for Madison County’s EMA/CSEPP, said the exercise helped each agency involved learn more about the other and work out lines of communications.

“We were able to identify areas where we could improve and all the groups involved now have more respect for one another,” she said.

Participants in Thursday’s exercise included: the EKU Police Department, EKU campus faculty, Richmond police and fire departments, Berea Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the EMA and Madison County Emergency Medical Services.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

 

EKU/EMA Conduct Emergency Exercise

 

Richmond, KY (August 6, 2007) On Thursday, August 9, the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will conduct an emergency preparedness exercise at Eastern Kentucky University.  A surprise, mock scenario will test the readiness of both campus and community emergency personnel.

The exercise is a result of cooperation between EKU and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency/Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). 

In a statement released by the university, President Joanne Glasser said, “The safety of our students, faculty and staff is one of EKU’s top priorities.  That is why I am particularly pleased that EKU and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency/CSEPP are collaborating to conduct an emergency preparedness exercise on our Richmond campus so that we may be better prepared should a natural or man-made emergency ever occur.”

Some of the groups involved in the exercise of the mock incident will be EKU Police, Richmond Police and Fire Departments, Berea Police, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management Agency, and Emergency Medical Services.  Many volunteers will also participate as mock “patients” for the medical services to “treat.”  Also lending service will be Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center and Saint Joseph Hospital in Berea.

Officials don’t expect everything within the exercise to go perfectly—this is an opportunity to practice and increase awareness of potential problems. 

“It’s probably better when things don’t go smoothly—that is where the learning takes place,” said Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Carl Richards.  “Responders and planners can take the less-than-perfect experiences and make changes in their strategies.”

“Weaknesses are exposed in an exercise--better to deal with problems in an exercise than be caught unprepared in an actual emergency situation,” Richards said.

 Chief of EKU Police Mark Welker agrees in this statement released by the university: 

 “Training is a very important aspect of our police officers’ professional development and performance.  As emergencies can occur without a moment’s notice, it is imperative that the EKU police force as well as the University community be able to proactively respond to nearly every critical situation that may arise.  Thanks to the efforts of the Madison County EMA/CSEPP staff, EKU will be even better prepared to meet the challenges an emergency situation can bring.”

 One safety measure implemented on campus has been to fit 5 buildings with “collective protection” capabilities, meaning shelter-in-place for a large number of people at one time. 

 A program to give emergency procedure training to resident advisors (RAs) in residence halls continued with a class on July 12.  This fall Madison County EMA staff will give safety presentations to approximately 300 commuter students.

 The EKU Department of Baccalaureate & Graduate Nursing routinely brings their students to the Emergency Operations Center for tours and presentations.  The most recent group toured the facility on July 24th.

 The collaboration between the two entities is also resulting in work toward placing four outdoor warning sirens on campus.  This group of sirens will have its own distinctive sound to give warning of a campus-only incident or emergency in addition to the three other tones used for county emergencies.

 In further comments, Glasser said, “I am proud of the fact that the University already has many resources in place to contribute to campus safety, or to respond to and manage a crisis.  The August 9th exercise, however, is but one more way we wish to enhance our ability to respond to an emergency situation.  I firmly believe it not only will prove to be beneficial to the EKU community, but to all of Richmond and Madison County as well.”

 Referring to the university as a “city within a city,” Richards says he looks forward to the continuing relationship between the EMA and EKU.

 “This is a positive collaboration of leadership.”

 The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) was created in 1988 as a joint venture of the United States Army, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Kentucky Emergency Management (KyEM) and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.  Its purpose is to provide maximum protection of the public and the environment as it assists the state and local governments located near chemical stockpiles in improving emergency planning preparedness.  For more information call 624-4787.

 

Communications Systems Upgrades Underway

Projects to upgrade communication systems at the Madison County Emergency Management Agency/CSEPP are underway.  These upgrades will improve information flow among emergency response personnel in Madison County and further enhance capabilities to alert the community through outdoor warning sirens.

The first project will convert the 800 megahertz radio system from the current analog system to a digital system.  This will result in improved sound quality on radio units and increased security of communications channels.

According to Communications Officer Glenn Foley, approximately 1300 radios are utilized in the system by all public safety agencies in Madison County.  “Our system is utilized over 300,000 times a month,” said Foley.  “Agencies of all three jurisdictions of Richmond, Berea, and Madison County are on the system.”

 Bids for the radio project are on schedule to be awarded by the end of summer, 2007.  Completion of the radio upgrades is expected to be approximately 18 months after award of bid.

 A second project in progress is the expansion of the Outdoor Siren Warning System.  The sirens serve to give residents alert warnings in case of emergency situations in Madison County.  For siren information, please see/click on http://www.madison-county-ema.com/alertnotification/sirens.htm

Currently, there are 29 sirens located at various sites in Madison County.  The expansion project calls for an upgrade of the existing sirens plus installation of 10 new sirens.  All control systems and associated siren system peripherals will be integrated into a single control system that can be activated from designated locations within the county.  “We are always looking to improve all our systems,” said Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Carl Richards.  “The growth of Madison County in recent years makes it imperative that we increase our number of warning sirens.”

 Timeline for completion of the Outdoor Siren Warning System upgrade/integration is the end of 2007.

 

Specific Codes Recommended for Weather Radios 

Madison County residents living in areas outside the 6.2 mile radius of the Blue Grass Army Depot are considered to be in the “Protective Action Zone.”  These residents are not eligible to receive a Tone Alert Radio from the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).  (For complete zone information, please go to http://www.madison-county-ema.com/csepp/knowzone.htm  

However, to keep themselves alert to severe weather emergencies, it is recommended that residents of these zones purchase a weather radio with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) capabilities.  A code can be programmed into this type of radio so that it will receive alerts only for this specific area.  Several local retailers usually carry various brands and models of weather radios. 

The code is referred to as a Federal Information Processing Standards, or FIPS code.  The FIPS code for Madison County is 21151.

 Residents may call the Madison County EMA/CSEPP office at 624-4787 for further information.