Major Hazmat Disaster Readiness Drill in Dalton Today

The Whitfield County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will participate in a Hazardous Material Disaster Drill, an emergency response drill scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 9 am until Noon. The drill is aimed at preparing Whitfield County and the City of Dalton for industrial accidents or terrorist activity involving hazardous chemicals.

This Disaster Drill will consist of a simulated exercise that will test county and local organizations ability to react during a large scale emergency. The Whitfield County drill will involve a simulated accidental hazardous chemical release, a shelter-in-place drill involving local schools and a surge of chemically-contaminated patients at Hamilton Medical Center.

The Whitfield County Emergency Services and the LEPC will coordinate the county's participation in this disaster drill. Several agencies will play an active role during the exercise, including Whitfield County Fire Department, Sheriff's Office, Dalton Fire Department, Dalton Police Department, Whitfield EMS, Dalton State College Police Department, National Weather Service, Whitfield County Board of Education, Public Health, Medical Reserve Corp and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

"The lessons Whitfield County learns from this disaster drill will provide vital information that translates into improved response and mitigation efforts for all emergency situations," said Jeffrey Putnam, Director of the Whitfield County Emergency Services.

Whitfield County has been preparing for this disaster drill since the spring of this year. County officials have taken steps to ensure that the drill will be managed and conducted in such a way as to minimize the impact this exercise will have on citizens and traffic patterns. Areas where activity is taking place will be clearly marked and secured for the safety of residents.

This disaster drill is a joint effort by the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Whitfield County Fire Department, in partnership with other state and local agencies.