VIDEO: Emergency crews conducted a large-scale preparedness exercise Wednesday, testing how local agencies respond to high-risk situations involving specialized equipment.
The exercise simulated a potential chemical release from a train derailment, with more than a dozen agencies participating in the coordinated response.
โWell, today, weโre here to conduct a full-scale exercise to evaluate and assess our response to a hazmat incident,โ Justin Pierce, director of emergency management, said.
With 2,000 miles of track and hundreds of derailments on record, Charleston County officials said every emergency team must be ready when a train goes off the rails.
Charleston County Emergency Management led the exercise to ensure agencies know how to inform the public during a crisis properly. The drill tested the countyโs ability to notify and warn residents of dangers from a hazardous material release.
