LEPC Annual Exercise

June 5, 2024 

This report is written based on the exercise requirements outlined in Section 3750.04(C) of the Ohio Revised Code and the rules adopted under it.

* If the exercise complies with the criteria established, the commission shall issue an Order of Concurrence with the conduct of the exercise.

* If the exercise does not comply with the established criteria, the commission shall issue an Order Refusing to Concur with the conduct of the exercise.

Executive Summary: 

On April 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. the Scioto County LEPC conducted a Table-Top Exercise at County Washington TWP Fire Department. The scenario was based on a collision of a semi tanker-truck carrying hazardous material ID number 1978, and a passenger vehicle. The two vehicles collided on Ohio State Route 73 near West Portsmouth. The incident created a large hazardous material release of Propane that closed the highway in both directions. The exercise challenged the exercise players to discuss their emergency response actions in a group setting. There were four objectives tested for this table-top exercise. Notification of Response Agencies, Incident Assessment, Incident Command and Traffic Control. The exercise was conducted over a 3-hour period and successfully met the annual requirements of Ohio Revised Code 3750.04.

The exercise was evaluated by the following evaluators:

Melissa Blank, Deputy Director - Athens County EMA

Rober Czechlewski, Director - Jackson County EMA

Kim Duty, Fire Chief - Hamilton Township

The Exercise Facilitator was Daniel E. Endrizzi Ohio EMA Emergency Management Specialist.

In order to receive a concurrence for an exercise, the LEPC must successfully demonstrate a majority of the Points of Review for each chosen Objective. The LEPC chose to evaluate the following Objectives: 1, 2, 3, and 10.

The Facilitator and Evaluators feel that the activities within the exercise did demonstrate Objectives - 1, 2, 3, and 10; did not demonstrate Objectives - None.

Objectives:

Objective #1: Notification of Response Agencies. Demonstrate the ability to notify response and support agencies, and to mobilize emergency personnel.

Points of Review Available: 6

Needed to Meet Objective: 4

Number Met: 6

Number Not Met: 0, (N/A)

Number Not Applicable: 0, (N/A)

The exercise players successfully discussed the capability to notify response agencies. The 911 dispatcher discussed their notification procedures with the group and described the protocol’s used for dealing with a hazardous material incident. The exercise players discussed how the incident information would be disseminated through the County radio system. The group discussed how notification of off-site support agencies would be done and how the 911 CAD system would track resources, notification time, and actions taken on scene. The actions discussed were based on the Scioto County emergency plans and participating agencies SOP’s.

Points Not Met: None.

Points Not Applicable: None.

Corrective Action Recommendations: No recommendatins at this time.

Objective #2: Incident Assessment. Demonstrate the ability to identify the hazardous material(s) involved in the incident and to assess the associated health and physical hazards.

Points of Review Available: 10

Needed to Meet Objective: 6

Number Met: 10

Number Not Met: 0, (N/A)

Number Not Applicable: 0, (N/A)

The exercise players successfully discussed the capability to conduct incident assessment. The exercise players discussed how to approach a hazardous material scene safely by using line of site and wind direction. The Fire response players discussed the use of the ERG guide book for initial response actions to take and to identify the immediate life safety concerns for responders. The Fire response players described the initial perimeters of a hot, warm, and cold zones. A discussion on evacuation vs shelter-in-place occurred in a timely manner. The group discussed with Law Enforcement how to shut-down roadways. The actions discussed were based on the Scioto County emergency plans and each agencies SOP’s.

Points Not Met: None.

Points Not Applicable: None.

Corrective Action Recommendations: No recommendations at this time.

Objective #3: Incident Command. Demonstrate the ability to implement an Incident Command System and effectively direct, coordinate, and manage emergency response activities.

Points of Review Available: 10

Needed to Meet Objective: 6

Number Met: 10

Number Not Met: 0, (N/A)

Number Not Applicable: 0, (N/A)

The exercise players successfully discussed the capability to implement an Incident Command System. The Fire response players discussed the incident command’s post location and how the incident command structure for the scenario would be initial set-up with an Incident Commander, Operations Chief, EMS Operations, and HazMat Operations. As the exercise discussion continued a unified command structure was discussed. The Fire response players discuss how a Fire fighter would be assigned as a scribe for the incident and the role of the Safety Officer. The actions discussed were based on the Scioto County emergency plans and each agencies SOP’s.

Points Not Met: None.

Points Not Applicable: None.

Corrective Action Recommendations: No recommendations at this time.

Objective #10: Traffic and Access Control. Demonstrate the ability to implement site security, designate evacuation routes, control traffic flow, and manage evacuation area site access.

Points of Review Available: 9

Needed to Meet Objective: 5

Number Met: 9

Number Not Met: 0, (N/A)

Number Not Applicable: 0, (N/A)

The exercise players successfully discussed the capability to implement traffic and access control. The Law Enforcement exercise player discussed how they would work with the Incident Commander to shut-down the State Route in both directions and how they would create detour routes. The Law Enforcement player discussed mutual aid with Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Transportation to assist in closing roads. Public service messaging for the detours routes was discussed. The actions discussed were based on the Scioto County emergency plans and each agencies SOP’s.

Points Not Met: None.

Points Not Applicable: None.

Corrective Action Recommendations: No recommendations at this time.

Additional Recommendations: None.

Critique Findings: A formal critique of this exercise was conducted at the end of the exercise. The exercise players discussed their policies and procedures used during the table-top exercise and ways to improve response actions. The exercise evaluators reviewed their SERC Objectives sheets with the players and discussed minor recommendations. Below is a summary of the critique notes from the evaluation sheets and notable critique comments.

Strengths: The exercise players demonstrated a good working knowledge of each other’s capabilities and limitations. The Scioto County emergency responders are well trained and demonstrated a good working knowledge of their agency emergency procedures and agency SOP’s. The exercise players demonstrated good team work with each other, State agencies, and with mutual aid Fire companies. The Table-top exercise was designed and facilitated extremely well. The 30-minute Propane training awareness program presented by Arrick’s Propane was very beneficial.

Opportunities for Improvement: If not already available create checklists to ensure notification and actions are being done. Consider contacting the National Weather Service for real time weather and wind direction. The NWS can also create plume mapping for HazMat spill. Define the location of the command post early in the event. Always seek to collect the USDOT# on the side of transportation carrier.

This report is respectfully submitted by,

Daniel E. Endrizzi,

SERC Exercise Facilitator

(614) 296-4364