First responders fill out an incident command chart after assigning command and general staff roles during an exercise behind Oxford Plains Speedway recently.

Mock incident tests emergency responders

OXFORD – Organizations in the Oxford Hills region participated in an exercise that tested their plans and capabilities against a difficult scenario, hosted by the Oxford County Emergency Management Agency on Feb. 7.

The exercise began when first responders learned that a train had derailed behind the Oxford Plains Speedway on a race day.

They had to tackle such issues as chemical release and decontamination of victims. The designated incident commander assigned roles among other leaders for operations, staging, safety and public information officer. The Oxford County Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) was assigned to the logistics, planning and finance sections of the incident.

The afternoon session involved planning for setting up an alternate care site for Stephens Memorial Hospital at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School to handle the influx of victims from the speedway.

The Oxford County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), County Animal Response Team (CART) and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) were brought together to plan the set-up of a shelter for people and animals that would potentially be evacuated due to a chemical release.

The alternate care site and regional shelter development were supported by SAD 17 and OHCHS staff.

Other organizations present were Oxford County Regional Communications Center, Decontamination Strike Team 4, Oxford Fire Rescue, Oxford Police Department, Paris Fire and Police departments, Paris EMA, Norway Fire Department, Norway EMA, PACE Ambulance, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Hebron Fire Department, Tri-County EMS, Maine Emergency Management Agency, York County IMAT, Mechanic Falls Fire Department, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, State Police, Poland Fire Rescue, Tri-Town Rescue, Central Maine Regional Resource Center and American Red Cross.