In April, sirens will blare and everything from ambulances to police cars and fire trucks will roll.

Tuesday, February 20, 2001

In April, sirens will blare and everything from ambulances to police cars and fire trucks will roll.

But area residents should not be alarmed – it will only be a drill.

The Lawrence County Local Emergency Planning Committee is planning a full drill this year as an exercise for agencies’ disaster response.

Ironton fire chief Tom Runyon, chair of the planning and exercise subcommittee of the LEPC, said the drill is anticipated to happen April 21.

Officials are still discussing location and the actual scenario, but the drill likely will feature a fire simulation and people playing the part of "victims" for treatment by EMS and area hospitals wishing to participate, Runyon said.

At an LEPC meeting earlier this month, fire departments, officials with SEOEMS, the Ohio Highway Patrol, county EMA, Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol and other agencies voiced their support of the drill, unless they must deal with an emergency the day of the drill.

In addition, St. Mary’s Hospital officials said the drill could be used as an exercise for the hospital’s own disaster response.

Objectives of the drill are to test abilities in initial notification, response, functions under an incident command system, resource management, communications and other aspects of handling a disaster or large-scale emergency, Runyon said.

During the drill, participants could also practice dealing with flammable liquids, spill containment, triage of victims, evacuation and shelter procedures and how agencies communicate with each other, LEPC officials said.

Agencies can review reports afterward to identify strengths and weaknesses, they said.