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- Category: Campus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – In May, Lincoln University hosted an emergency management tabletop exercise at the Ivory V. Nelson Center for the Sciences.
Led by the Oxford Regional Emergency Management Organization and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, the exercise provided a chance to train participants on all aspects of responding to a hazardous materials emergency, including effective communications to coordinate the actions of fire companies, police departments and hospitals among others.
Thaddeus P. Kavanagh (left), lectures participants in an Oxford Regional Emergency Management exercise at the Ivory V. Nelson Center for the Sciences, May 31. Photo by Pam Thompson.
The exercise scenario described a hazardous material fire at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 896, with a radius of possible toxic effects extending for over a mile from the scene.
The scenario occurred in real time and changed continuously, based in part on current weather conditions, including a line of thunderstorms that came through the area. Wind conditions in particular caused participants to reconsider which communities were evacuated first.
An additional part of the exercise was conducted at the Jennersville Regional Hospital and included a number of simulated victims.
The exercise participants included Oxford’s Union Fire Company, Lincoln University Department of Public Safety, Oxford Police Department, Tower Health at Jennersville Hospital, Southern Chester County EMS Medic 94, Upper Oxford EMC 57, Chester County Haz-Mat, West Grove Fire Company, Penn Township EMC 58, Avon-Grove Regional Emergency Management, and Pennsylvania State Police.
Cochranville Fire Company on campus for the Emergency Management Workshop, May 31. Photo by Pam Thompson.
“It was a pleasure seeing local and state emergency organizations come together to ensure the safety of our communities during an emergency,” said James Connor, Lincoln University’s chief of police.
Numerous local elected officials attended, including mayor Lorraine Bell of Oxford Borough.
“Attendees at the end of the exercise agreed that the participants and law enforcement communicated effectively and collaborated efficiently,” said Connor.