PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The Scioto County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is set to conduct a full-scale hazardous materials (hazmat) exercise on Saturday, April 15. The exercise, scheduled from 10 AM to Noon, will take place at three locations: the Scioto County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Portsmouth, the Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) Emergency Department in Portsmouth, and a simulated accident scene in Union Township.
The annual exercise, mandated by Ohio law, serves to test the county’s Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan. This year’s scenario will involve a simulated accident and chemical spill in Union Township. The full-scale exercise will engage personnel and equipment, treating the situation as if it were a real emergency.
To enhance the realism of the exercise, several volunteer actors will portray victims and evacuees. Numerous agencies are expected to participate, including Access Scioto County, the National Weather Service, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Emergency Management, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Salvation Army, Scioto County Amateur Emergency Radio Services, Scioto EMA, Scioto County Health Department, Scioto LEPC, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Ohio Medical Center, Tri-State Chapter of the American Red Cross, Union Township EMS Squad 10, Union Township Fire Department, and Veolia North American.
Scioto EMA Director Larry Mullins highlighted the importance of this year’s full-scale exercise, stating, “Last year’s LEPC exercise was held in Green Township and was a tabletop and went exceptionally well. This year’s exercise has a lot of moving parts and logistics and will present a formidable challenge to everyone involved.”