HazMat Drill Takes Over South Springfield
By: KOLR10 Newsroom
Updated: December 13, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- There was some unusual activity in Springfield Thursday involving the Missouri National Guard and first responders.
A hazardous material drill was staged in the 1200 block of S. Campbell Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Guard worked with Springfield and Taney County Hazardous Materials teams, as well as medics from Mercy on a live-action drill. The scenario involved a terrorist threat at a luncheon.
The team trains to respond to terrorist threats, chemical, nuclear or biological threats.
"Once a true incident happens, then the faces are very familiar and we know their standard operating procedures," says Sgt. First Class Juan Gallego with the 7th Civilian Support Team Guard Unit. "Then they know how we work and what we can bring to the fight for them."
In an actual emergency, the HazMat team would alert the hospital if contaminants were found inside so victims can get the treatment they need.
The 22-person Guard unit conducts a training like this at least once a month.
