Local emergency personnel got to test their mettle last week during a special exercise aimed at improving their response to a hazardous material situation.

The scenario involved a multi-vehicle accident and was staged in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School parking lot. The pickup truck involved in the accident had unsecured tanks that were thrown from the vehicle and damaged, causing them to release a gas substance.

MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS

Brody Meendering, 12, of Hartley, gets assessed following an "accident" April 8.

According to O'Brien County Emergency Management Director Jared Johnson, the exercise gave emergency responders and healthcare partners a chance to work through a hazardous material transportation incident and practice a variety of protocol like initial response actions, staging, hazard identification, hazard control tactics, operational communication and operational coordination. The scenario also allowed responders to practice rescue, decontamination, triage and treatment of patients on live "victims."

"Participants enjoyed having the opportunity to work through this exercise scenario," said Johnson. "We received positive feedback following the exercise."

Hartley's police, fire and ambulance departments participated in the exercise, as did the O'Brien County Communications Center, sheriff's office and local healthcare facilities. Community Memorial Health Center and MercyOne Clinic practiced their shelter-in-place emergency plan as well, as the plume of "hazardous" gas traveled in the direction of the facility.