Eighty emergency response personnel from 31 local, state, federal, and private sector organizations in Galveston and Harris Counties conducted a Tabletop Exercise on Tuesday (November 17, 2009) to test their response to a simulated hydrofluoric or HF acid release.

The scenario involved an HF tanker truck that accidentally overturned on State Highway 146 and Oklahoma in unincorporated Galveston County. 

“Tank trucks of hydrofluoric acid travel through the County each week, enroute from a manufacturing facility in Louisiana to refineries in Texas City, so this exercise scenario was very realistic,” said John Simsen, emergency management coordinator for Galveston County. 

Sponsored by the Galveston County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), the tabletop exercise was conducted from tables set up in the League City Civic Center but simulated the communications, coordination, and decision-making that would need to occur between emergency responders from different departments and jurisdictions.

During this exercise, Bacliff Volunteer Fire Department set up an Incident Command Post at one table in the room.  Fire departments from League City and Texas City were mobilized to spray more water and diminish the toxic fumes.  Local police and sheriff’s departments determined locations for roadblocks to stop traffic into the area.  Christus St. John, Mainland Medical Center, and UTMB Galveston prepared to treat any patients. 

Galveston County and Harris County simulated activation of the Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radios, and Connect-CTY to warn nearby homes, businesses, and schools in Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD to shelter-in-place.  Shelter-in-place means to go inside the nearest building or vehicle, turn off any air conditioning or heating systems that might draw in outside air, and turn on the radio or TV for more information until the “All Clear” is sounded.

The scenario used computerized plume modeling that showed prevailing winds from the east-southeast at 10 miles per hour would affect communities in the northern portion of Galveston County.

“The exercise confirmed how important it is for the public to quickly shelter in place when they are warned of such a hazardous materials release,” said Marathon’s Dan Buchanan who facilitated the four-hour exercise.  “The exercise also provided an opportunity for emergency responders from different cities and counties to meet each other, work together, and integrate our individual emergency management plans.”

Local organizations that participated in the exercise included the Bacliff Volunteer Fire Department plus police, fire, and emergency management personnel from the cities of Friendswood, Galveston, Houston, LaMarque, League City, Seabrook, Texas City, and the Texas City Industrial Mutual Aid System.

Representatives from the Galveston County Health District, Office of Emergency Management, and Sheriff’s Office interacted with similar representatives from Harris County.  State and federal agencies that participated in the exercise included the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas General Land Office, the National Weather Service and the United States Coast Guard.

Volunteer members of Galveston County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program served as runners between the twenty tables of local, state, and federal exercise participants.
 

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