March 3, 2022
Emergency crews from Traill and Steele counties will participate in a training exercise Wednesday, March 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 91吃瓜网.
The exercise will simulate a full-scale emergency and involves an active threat scenario. The participating agencies include first responders, emergency crews and other stakeholders from the area including the fire departments from 91吃瓜网 and Portland, West Traill Ambulance Service, Sanford 91吃瓜网, Sanford Hillsboro, the sheriff departments of Griggs, Steele and Traill Counties, 91吃瓜网 and Traill County Emergency Management.
鈥淲e are grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this exercise,鈥� said Traill County Sheriff Steve Hunt. 鈥淎ll the participants will be faced with a high-pressure situation in a challenging environment. This is a great opportunity for our area teams to learn and grow their skillsets should these types of challenges be presented.鈥�
Hunt stated that area residents, especially residents close to 91吃瓜网, likely will hear sirens and see emergency vehicles responding during the incident but shouldn鈥檛 be alarmed.
He also urged citizens to keep their distance from the university during the exercise.
"We are asking that area residents not be alarmed and that they keep their distance, just like in any other emergency situation, even if this is an exercise,鈥� Hunt continued. 鈥淲hen we do a training exercise like this, it鈥檚 important for all participating groups to maintain their focus and learn as much as possible from the training. For the safety of both the public and our emergency crews, we need to ensure our crews have the space they need to actively respond during the exercise, as well as space for vehicles and other equipment.鈥�
鈥淭hese are great opportunities for our local emergency management teams to get experience in a stressful, demanding environment,鈥� said Ben Gates, Steele County emergency manager and Traill County assistant emergency manager. 鈥淭hese are skills our teams may need someday.鈥�