Stark County emergency response drill

Clint Thom, Regional Safety Director

On July 21st, CHS Southwest Grain hosted an emergency response drill for Stark County in North Dakota.

There were around 125 first responders on site and 150 people involved all together with the following groups represented:

• 5 fire departments (including Dickinson City Fire with Hazmat and the surrounding towns)
• 3 ambulance services
• Bismarck Hazmat
• Dickinson CHI Hospital – they responded to the patients that the ambulances drove to the hospital. The intention of this was to “overload” the hospital.
• Sanford Hospital with helicopter response
• Stark Co Emergency Response
• Stark Co Sheriff
• ND Highway Patrol
• ND Game and Fis
• BNSF
• CHS

The scenario was a vehicle hauling hazardous chemical collided with a train, derailing it, and causing the chemical to spill. Additionally, there was an NH3 release and several fires. There was at least one fatality, and 10 other injuries (wearing full make up). The injured people were treated, and then decontaminated eventually transported to the hospital if needed. One lucky volunteer got a helicopter ride! In talking to several of the first responders, they learned a bunch and enjoyed participating in the drill.

CHS Southwest Grain was proud and thankful to be a small part of such a beneficial event for our local First Responders!