“This is only a test” . . . no need for any concern

Agencies to participate in mock “train derailment”

 

IMLAY CITY — At first glance, it might be a bit concerning for those who are in the area of the Imlay City High School complex this weekend.

But, fear not. This is only a test!!

Emergency agencies and other entities will be in Imlay City Saturday to take part in a mock disaster involving a simulated freight train derailment.

Imlay City Commissioner Ted Sadler, who has been involved with the planning of the event, is looking forward to seeing all of the agencies working together.

Sadler stated, “I read somewhere that if you are not always prepared then you are never prepared. We have some of the most dedicated professional first responders and emergency personnel systems and equipment at both the local and county level.”

He added, “This event will test all of their skills.”

The familiar sound of the train whistle and the roar of the train as it runs through town several times a day isn’t new to those who live here.

Running along with each passing train is a risk–however slight–of a derailment.

In Lapeer County, train derailments are listed under ‘Hazardous Materials Incidents- Transportation’ category in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, ranking ninth on a list of 20 potential hazards, according to Lapeer County Emergency Management Coordinator Sarah Whaley.

That places derailments above snow and ice storms, structure fires, tornadoes, public health emergencies and other hazards, according to Whaley.

In an effort to be prepared, should a train derailment occur, Lapeer County Emergency Management is partnering with the Imlay City Police and Fire Departments, along with CN Railway to host a mock derailment exercise on Saturday near the Imlay City High School campus along Blacks Corners Road.

Whaley says residents and motorists in the area should expect to see a flurry of activity and should not be frightened.

“There have been several major train derailments that have captured national attention, including those of trains carrying hazardous materials,” Whaley says.

“It’s put a renewed focus on rail safety not only nationwide, but locally too. Multiple agencies will be working together to test the response plans of the departments, agencies and the county to prepare for, if there was an actual freight train derailment in Lapeer County.”

According to Imlay City Police Chief Brett Selby, the Canadian National railroad disaster response team will participate in the mock train derailment exercise, to be staged at the Imlay City High School parking lot.

The PD Chief said, “Nearly a year in the planning and first conceptualized by Imlay City Mayor Pro-tem- Ted Sadler nearly a year ago, who also sits on the Lapeer County Emergency Management board, this mock disaster drill will combine the efforts of area first responders reacting to a staged CN railroad derailment,”

Chief Selby says the last recorded train derailment in Imlay City took place on April 2, 1970, at approximately 4:45 in the afternoon involving a Grand Trunk train carrying, glass, clay, and cereal. The accident occurred just east of Blacks Corners Road near Fourth street.

He said Saturday’s exercise will culminate months of planning.

“Each organization will have a role either in containment, evacuation, notification, triage, or decontamination as well as activating the valued partnership with Dr. Stu Cameron and the staff at the Imlay City Schools and all of the Imlay City Schools student role players,” the Chief stated.

Planners say the choice to hold the exercise at the High School parking lot was a calculated one that involves one of many potential discussed sites that took place during many of the pre-planning tabletop discussions over the last year, which depended on the location of a train derailment.

Each of the involved organizations will play a key role in the training, and since the exercise involves the school, our school resource officer, Tony Easlick is taking point as the liaison for the police department at the mock disaster site coordinating effort between the schools and the first responders.

Along with Imlay City Police and Fire Departments, other area fire departments that are part of the inter agency mutual aid will be coming from Almont, Goodland Twp., Attica Twp., Elba Twp. and Burlington Twp. Others involved include Lapeer County Central Dispatch, Lapeer Count Health Department, Michigan State Police, the Salvation Army, McLaren Lapeer Region and CN Railway.

While you may hear a lot of commotion and see a lot of activity in the area of the high school, this is only a drill to make each of the organizational responses better, faster and more efficient in the event of an emergency.

The County’s Emergency Coordinator says incidents such as train derailments impact communities in a number of ways. Included in those impacts are traffic detours, hazardous material releases, fires, property damage, potential shelter-in-place or evacuation orders and economic impact, to mention a few.

The event is being coordinated by Lapeer County Emergency Management.