A multi agency simulated disaster drill was held in Brownwood Wednesday morning to train local and regional officials how to handle a large scale emergency.
According to officials, the mock incident began at 9:00 a.m. when an 18-wheeler truck was to have struck a train near the intersection of 2nd and Fisk Streets causing a derailment. The mock collision caused a chemical leak from the rail cars as well as a radiation leak, resulting in many people being injured. By noon, emergency workers simulated the rescue of 8 entrapped victims as well as search and rescue of 10 others. Emergency crews had to search for and rescue victims exposed to the radiation and chemicals near the area of the simulated spill, including evacuating an area of Howard Payne University.A command center was set up at the Law Enforcement Center to coordinate the drill, the Emergency Management communications trailer was placed at the new fire station on Adams Street, and a triage center was set up in the Depot parking lot.
Agencies participating in the drill included the Brownwood Fire Department, City of Brownwood, Brownwood and Brown County Emergency Management, Texas Army National Guard, Allegiance EMS, Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT), Texas Department of Public Safety, Ham radio operators, Texas Department of State Health Services, Brownwood/Brown County Health Department, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Brownwood High School HOSA members and Howard Payne University students volunteered as victims during the drill.
Pictured above are CERT members tending to a victim of the simulated incident. Below are more photos during the drill.
Texas Army National Guardsmen helped coordinate emergency assets during the incident.
CERT members along with a volunteer nurse evaluate a victim at the triage tent.
Texas Army National Guardsmen, FBI agents, ham radio operators, Brownwood Fire Department and Allegiance EMS work in the unified command center in the communications trailer.
Pictured above (center) is BFD Assistant Chief Grady Shuey coordinating communications inside the unifed command center.
