October 22, 2003

Mock "tornado" touches down in WRT

       The White River Township and Greenwood Fire Departments in conjunction with the Indiana American Water Company, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Johnson County Emergency Management, and Johnson Memorial Hospital hosted a mock disaster drill today, October 22, 2003, at 9:45am at the Marlin Water Treatment Plant at SR37 and Fairview Roads.  The Johnson County Sheriff’s Communications Center dispatched a simulated tornado touchdown in the area of SR37 and Fairview, heading in a southwestern direction.  They then dispatched damage to the water plant with a resultant chlorine leak. Upon the fire department’s arrival, a chlorine cloud in the building was found with witnesses saying there was a worker down in the building. White River Township Fire Department rescued the victim out of the building while the Greenwood Fire Department Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Response Team set up for stopping the leak and decontamination. The Greenwood Haz-Mat Team stopped the leak, and the victim was transported to Johnson Memorial Hospital via Rural-Metro Ambulance, who assisted in the drill with actual patient care.  A critique of the mock incident was held following the event to discuss how the situation was handled.  The drill went extremely well and demonstrated the interagency cooperation that is necessary in such a situation.  Similar drills are generally conducted annually by the White River Twp Fire Department and often involve several area agencies to test preparedness and coordination.

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