After rescuing the victims, it was time to douse the chemical beneath the tanker.

MENTONE — The Local Emergency Planning Committee of Kosciusko County conducted a hazardous materials exercise at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at North Central Co-op in Mentone. The exercise simulated a chemical spill from a tanker in a populated area. The purpose was to ensure that in real world situations, the departments would be able to handle chemical spills accordingly.

Fulton EMS officers transporting fake victims of the chemical spill.

The goal of the exercise was simple: decontaminate the area and determine what chemical was spilled. Fire departments from Mentone and Burkett were called to the scene, as well as Mentone EMS, asisted by Life-Med and Fulton County EMS, Kosciusko County Health Department, the Elkhart hazmat team and Red Cross. The departments were to respond according to their normal procedures, as if this disaster were really happening. There were even simulated dispatchers nearby, who were sending and receiving information to and from the fire chief.

The full-scale exercise had the fire departments rescuing victims from a spill of Toluene, a highly flammable chemical used as a solvent in paint and glue. The chemical had been released from a tanker, and fake victims were scattered in the grass. The fake victims were all choir students from Tippecanoe Valley High School and Boy Scouts from the Kosciusko County area.

Victims who were exposed to the chemical needed to be washed thoroughly before brought to EMS officials.

Firefighters were everywhere, performing their various duties all according to regulation. From communicators to drivers, every official on the scene had a role to play, and it was obvious this was being taken seriously.

Despite overwhelming dangers, the exercise was successful. Victims were saved and washed, and the fire department covered the chemical with aqueous film-forming foam, a substance that removes oxygen from whatever it comes into contact with. After the drill, the departments got together and met with their supervisors for evaluations.

The goal of the exercise was to ensure that in real world situations, the departments would be able to handle chemical spills accordingly, and the exercise was handled with care and urgency. Citizens can rest assured that their fire departments are running well.