Semi-annual training exercise and assessment for nuclear accidents in

Semi-annual training exercise and assessment for a nuclear accident in Pennsylvania

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In Lawrence County, emergency officials and volunteers participated in an exercise to test their ability to respond should a nuclear accident occur in Pennsylvania.

It’s a scenario where they hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Local fire departments and the Lawrence County Department of Public Safety participated in a preparedness exercise at Mohawk High School.

The mock scenario they must respond to is a general accident at the Shipping Port Nuclear Power Plant in Beaver County.

Those who were exposed would pass through this detector.

“Every two years we are evaluated by FEMA to ensure we can accommodate people being evacuated from Beaver County. They will come to that location and go through a portal monitor to make sure they have not received any contamination from the power plant,” said Lawrence County Public Safety Director Chad Strobel.

If people have not been exposed to radiation, they are sent to the American Red Cross for registration and are released to spend time with family or friends.

If they do not have shelter, the Red Cross provides food, drinks and shelter.

“We are committed to seeing them through to the end until they are placed back in shelters,” said Nancy Grieco, SW Beaver Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Decontamination will be carried out for those exposed to the school showers.

If they require further treatment, they are sent to UPMC Jameson Hospital, where staff receives specialized training.

The Pennsylvania EMA and FEMA monitored the exercise.

“Whether it’s a structure fire, whether we’re just dealing with local authorities or whether it’s something larger. Today, there are federal, state and local agencies that will evaluate this exercise. It’s critical for us to be prepared.” “That’s what the public expects of us in times of disaster and that’s what we will do,” said North Beaver Township Deputy Fire Chief Frank Jannetti.

Drills also will be held in Butler, Washington Counties and Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh.