by Carolyn Bertsch
A full scale disaster exercise, six months in the making, took place over a two-hour period on the east side of Sartell Sept. 27.
Stearns County Emergency Management designed the exercise along with Sartell Fire Chief Peter Kedrowski and Police Chief Jim Hughes.
The disaster scene plot surrounded a vehicle that had gone off the road, crashed and injured both driver and passenger upon hitting a gas pipeline. An SUV with body damage from a previous collision was staged at Val Smith Park. A fogger and a fan were used to simulate smoke and training mannequins were placed inside the vehicle that would need to be “rescued.” Other areas along the east side of Sartell along CR-29 were also part of the exercise, including Country Manor.
Sixty-five emergency response personnel gathered on the grounds near the community garden on Benton Drive at 5 p.m. to await instructions. They did not know what kind of disaster they would be responding to until they were dispatched at 5:30 p.m. At that time firetrucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles arrived at the scene with rescuers in full gear and ready to tackle any obstacles ahead.
The Sartell Fire Department and Police Department along with Xcel Energy, Northern Natural Gas, Sauk Rapids Fire Department, St. Cloud Hazardous Materials Team, Mayo Ambulance and representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s office were on site at the emergency. All those who participated were there on a voluntary basis as the exercise was not mandatory.
Reflecting on the event Chief Kedrowski stated, “We are extremely thankful for all the agencies that were able to take part and make this opportunity for learning and training. This was a great test from multiple aspects. We are grateful to have this partnership with our neighbors.”
Firefighters (left to right) Austin Guggenberger, Wayde Anderson and Captain Brian Heim help rescue a training mannequin from a wrecked car during a disaster simulation Sept. 27 at Val Smith Park.
Two training manikins are brought to a safe location during a training simulation Sept. 27 at Val Smith Park.
A halligan tool is used on the front end of a staged vehicle Sept. 27 during a disaster training exercise.
Firefighters put out a phony car fire. The smoke is created with a fogger and a fan during a Sept. 27 disaster training exercise.
Members of the disaster exercise teams look on and read and make notes while watching first responders Sept. 27 at Val Smith Park.
A firefighter communicates with others from the Val Smith location Sept. 27 during the disaster training exercise.
A firefighter checks gauges on the side of the truck Sept. 27 during the disaster training exercise at Val Smith Park.
