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Aug. 14-16 Hazmat Seminar to Feature Tabletop Simulation of Plane Crash and Natural Gas Explosion

Release Date: 8/8/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is co-sponsoring a seminar Aug. 14-16 for emergency response personnel that will feature a sprawling three-dimensional tabletop exercise to simulate two transportation disasters – a plane crash and a pipeline break that causes a natural gas explosion.

The conference called “Hazmat Transportation Incidents - Are You Really Prepared?” is co-sponsored by the Chemical Manufacturers Association. It will be held at the Woodlands Inn and Resort, 1073 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre.

The EPA will use the conference to better prepare emergency personnel how to respond to emergency transportation incidents that could threaten human health and the environment. Transportation incidents represent one of the most likely scenarios that emergency responders will face.

Expert speakers at the conference will address possible hazardous incidents involving transportation ranging from cargo planes and trucks to pipelines and ships.

The tabletop exercise, “Stress City,” was developed by Steve Hardman, a fire chief from Nitro, W.Va. It will provide emergency responders a hands-on approach to learn the best ways to respond during a simulated emergency on a spread out community that resembles those used by model railroad exhibitors. Conference attendees including firemen, police officers, rescue personnel, municipal workers and media representatives will role play as the emergency scenario unfolds.

For more information, call the conference hotline at 410-676-0882.