A line of emergency vehicles speeds down Industrial Park Road in Cadiz to respond to a mock chemical accident Friday. The vehicles and first responders were participating in the “full scale exercise” conducted by the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency.

CADIZ — Harrison County first responders practiced for the possibility of a dangerous chemical spill in the area on Friday.

The Harrison County Emergency Management Agency conducted a “full scale exercise” on Friday evening. The agency is required by Ohio law to practice annually, to ensure that in the case of a real emergency first responders would know exactly what to do. The training was held at the Mark West cryogenic plant on Industrial Park Road, and the scenario involved the spill of natural gas liquids in the facility. Many different emergency and law enforcement personnel participated in the exercise, including units from the Cadiz, New Athens, Hopedale and Harrisville volunteer fire departments, Harrison Community Hospital and law enforcement representatives from the Cadiz Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Jefferson County 911.

“Remember, you aren’t being graded on this so just respond like you normally would,” said EMA Director Eric Wilson before sending participants to their posts. Wilson added that the Mark West plant and natural gas scenario were specifically chosen to be as realistic as possible, as the gas and oil industry operations and traffic in the area make such an event possible.

The units gathered at the Mark West administrative offices across the street from the plant to discuss the plan. When the plant sounded the alarm, emergency vehicles swiftly responded, setting up outside of the plant itself and sending in a smaller vehicle to search for “injured” personnel. Once they were located, firefighters brought the “patients” out for decontamination and transportation to Harrison Community Hospital.

Meanwhile, in the command center across the street, Wilson and other commanders monitored the situation with a map, tracking where the liquids and gas might go to. Although the plant is not in a residential area, the possibility existed for contaminants to spread to livestock and for gas from the “spill” to potentially make its way to nearby Sally Buffalo Park, where it could easily be ignited. Wilson and his team calmly monitored the situation to advise the responders in the field.

The Jefferson County 911 Mobile Communications Center was on scene, helping all personnel involved in the drill to communicate clearly and quickly with each other. The large trailer serves as the emergency operations center, a command post and control facility for emergencies such as this. The Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association had a vehicle on site for similar reasons. In the event an evacuation was needed, the American Red Cross set up a shelter at the Presbyterian Church of Cadiz.

Mark West also participated in the exercise in the command center alongside Wilson and other personnel, as the drill involved the private sector. Wilson also pointed out that in the case of a real spill or disaster, Mark West employees would be able to help EMS and firefighters know exactly what chemicals were in play and how best to advise firefighters on how to shut down the area as quickly as possible.

The event was observed by several local elected officials. Harrison County Commissioner Don Bethel and Hopedale Councilman Donald Jochims watched responders from the sidelines, so that they could see how units were being put into play. Both said they had nothing but respect for the participants, especially considering that most aren’t getting paid. The two are confident that the Harrison County teams can handle any situation and were glad to have the chance to watch them in action.

“We’re here to support our local EMS,” Bethel said. “The commissioners are really seeing our investment in the EMA paying off with this training.”