The Meramec Local Emergency Planning District (MLEPD) is hosting a train derailment response coordination tabletop exercise on Wednesday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), 4 Industrial Drive, St. James. First responders and local elected officials are encouraged to participate. The training is free, and lunch is provided.
The tabletop exercise brings together local, state and federal hazmat responders to explore what resources, roles and timelines different agencies plan to employ for a train derailment involving hazardous materials. By identifying these resources, roles and timelines, potential needs are identified and filled ensuring the best response in an emergency situation.
“Conducting exercises is crucial for emergency preparedness,” said MRPC Assistant Director and Environmental Programs Manager Tammy Snodgrass. “It’s far better to practice your emergency response plan and to work through potential problems around a table than it is to do it under the pressure of an actual emergency. This is a great opportunity for folks in our region to get better acquainted with our regional hazardous materials emergency response plan.”
This training is a collaborative effort of the MLEPD, MRPC, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
MLEPD works with local governments, in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps and Washington counties, as well as the private sector to maintain plans responsive to chemical hazards, which seriously threaten the area. The committee periodically coordinates and offers training opportunities for emergency responders in the region. Quarterly meetings are open to the public. Kraig Bone of Washington County chairs the group while Rolla City Fire Chief Jeff Breen is vice chair. MRPC provides administration for the local emergency planning district.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 30 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
