Future Home of the Local Emergency Planning Committee

In Hall County, the users and transporters of chemicals have maintained a good safety record. However, where chemicals are used, accidents can happen. The key to everyone's protection is to minimize exposure to hazardous materials and be prepared in the event of an emergency. "Chemical Safety is a responsibility that we all share."

Nebraska D E Q

Case New Holland Incident

March 1st, 2008, a full scale emergency management training exercise was held with the Grand Island Fire Department, Hastings Fire Department, Hall County Emergency Management, Adams County Emergency Management, Hastings Utilities. The Rural Metro Ambulance Service in Hastings also participated in this training exercise which focused primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively respond to terrorist incidents. The exercise took place at Hastings Utilities Building.
The purpose of this exercise was to help develop, sustain, and provide feedback on the proficiency in the tasks that make up critical emergency response operations. This exercise served as a great learning opportunity for responders to examine the unique aspects of responding to Hazmat/chemical incidents.
As part of the exercise, the response of organizations and departments to the incident was examined, as well as its interaction with other agencies and assets that responded. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was tested between the two participating counties. Grand Island and Hastings are two of the 10 state designated MOU cities. After the training exercise was over evaluators then offered comments which were compiled in an After Action Report and Improvement Plan with recommendations for future training, equipment, and response procedures. (Pictures are available)

B N S F Coal Train Derailment

Aurora Coop Incident

Waste Water Treatment Plant Incident

	May 1st, 2008, a full scale emergency management training exercise was held with the Grand Island Fire Department, The Nebraska State Patrol, The Grand Island Police Department, The Nebraska’s National Guard 72nd WMD Civil Support Team, The Red Cross, the FBI and numerous other agencies. There were a total of 100 players participating in this 6 ½ hour exercise. This was the first exercise Hall County conducted with the 72nd CST. The scenario was: The Republican primary elections are being held in Nebraska. The various polling locations around Grand Island are established including one at the National Guard armory on Old Potash Hwy. A person (the witness) in his/her car notices a man digging through the trunk of his car and watches as he removes a very heavy backpack. The man enters the Armory and proceeds to the voting booth where he leaves his bag. The following person to use the booth notices the bag, picks it up and attempts to return it to the man who left it there. Calling to him, the person follows him as he leaves the building. The person makes it to the doorway when the backpack detonates. The person holding the bag is killed. The individual who left the bag, only a few feet away from the explosion is severely injured (eventually he too will die). Multiple bystanders are injured by the blast due to pressure, heat, fragmentation, and blunt force trauma (estimated 7 individuals). The witness calls 911. As responders arrive they encounter the attacker, severely injured by the explosion, as the responders attend to the man he pleads with them to “Get it off me! Get it off me!” He is also holding information regarding biological warfare agents. The attacker then dies. The information about the man digging through his truck is given to the police through interviews with the witness who called 911. The witness also informs the police which vehicle belongs to the attacker. Investigation of the vehicle leads to the discovery of a second backpack, laboratory equipment, and information on dirty bombs as weaponizing biological agents. This exercise showed that GIFD, GIPD, and other agencies work very well with one another, and provided information as to what procedures worked well and what needs to be practiced. All in all, it was a very successful exercise. Emergency Management would like to say “Thank You” to all the agencies and volunteers who participated in making this exercise happen.
	Oct. 18th, 2008 a table top hazardous material training exercise will be held with the Grand Island Fire Department Hazmat Team and Case New Holland. Planning is currently still in process.