The University of Louisville and Louisville Fire and Rescue will stage a mock, hazardous materials emergency on Belknap Campus Tuesday, Oct. 14.
The mock scenario will begin at 9 a.m. with a phone call to UofL’s Department of Public Safety reporting an explosion and possible hazardous materials leak at the Belknap Research Building. The exercise is designed to help emergency response teams test reaction time and communication systems and to practice written plans.
“We want this drill to be as realistic as possible,” said Dennis Sullivan, assistant director of the university’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety. “For example, several fire trucks will arrive on the scene, we will have ‘victims,’ fire alarms will sound, the building will be evacuated and some nearby streets will be closed.”
“Conducting such a comprehensive drill can go a long way in helping us refine our procedures,” said Capt. Jody Meiman of Louisville Fire and Rescue. “It also gives us a chance to practice working with several different agencies during a multifaceted emergency situation.”
To minimize disruption, the drill was scheduled during UofL’s fall break (Oct. 13, 14) and will be confined to a single building. During the drill, university officials plan to conduct a test of UofL Alert, the university’s emergency communication system. All messages will be clearly identified as “test” messages.
The entire exercise is expected to be completed by noon. Metro Louisville participants will include Louisville Fire and Rescue and Louisville Metro Health and Wellness. University participants include the Department of Public Safety, Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Office of Communications and Marketing and Speed School Center of Micro/Nano Technology.