By Jolene FarleyThe Rock County Hazardous Materials Team is finalizing plans for a terrorism response drill in Hills, according to Team Director and Luverne Fire Chief Don Deutsch. The drill, scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, is a training exercise for emergency personnel and agencies around the county with 75 to 100 people involved.Last year’s drill was a bomb detonation at the Minnesota Veterans Nursing Home in Luverne.This year, a terrorist act will be staged involving the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad on the west side of Hills and assorted chemicals. Deutsch didn’t elaborate on the specific chemicals, because part of the drill is for emergency personnel to determine what was used and what course of action. Rock County dispatchers will dispatch all entities involved and the drill will be conducted as if it is a real terrorist attack. Depending on the scope of the spill, a civilian evacuation may be simulated, according to Deutsch. Emergency personnel will determine the “hot zone,” and if H-BC High School can be used as a safe haven for residents. The wind and weather conditions on the day of the drill will impact on how far contamination travels. The Rock County Hazardous Materials Team, Rock County Ambulance, Rock County Law Enforcement (dispatch, sheriff, state patrol), Rock County Civil Defense, Luverne Community Hospital, New Vision Co-op, Hills-Beaver Creek School, Rock County Commissioners, affected city councils, and affected township boards are aware of or participating in the drill. Evaluating and fine-tuning inter-department communications will be an important part of the drill, according to Deutsch.“It’s a learning experience,” said Deutsch. “That’s why we do the drill, so that we can figure things out, so if we ever have something (an attack), we are more prepared.” After the drill, emergency personnel will meet for lunch and discuss any needed procedure changes. Local fire departments were encouraged to invite their local city councils or boards to watch the training exercise.A Terrorism Emergency Management Grant, applied for through Rock County, funded this year’s drill, according to Deutsch.
