Hazmat training exercise held near ILM

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A number of emergency crews and trucks gathered near the Wilmington airport, for what looked like a critical situation, but it was all just for practice.

14 county agencies joined forces for an hours-long hazmat training exercise simulating what it takes to control a chemical leak from a rail car. New Hanover County Fire and Rescue Chief Matt Davis said its an opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t in a non-emergency environment.

“Basically, we’re exercising a plan today to see if there’s any opportunity for improvement, things that went well, things that we could improve on,” Davis said.

While train leaks are rare, Davis says it helps to know how to handle them.

Wilmington Fire Department’s John Stephenson said hazmat crews got some of the most hands on experience during the training.

“It’s very flammable so it gave us an opportunity to practice our foam operations, and also gave us the opportunity to go down with the hazmat team and stop the leak,” Stephenson said.

He said  it’s about practice and building relationships.

“That way we get to know each other now and make the relationships when everything’s a nice practice, so when we do go out on a real call, we already have those relationships and know how to work with each other,” he said.

Davis added it’s just one more way to keep the community safe.

“I think it’s just an opportunity to show the public that you’ve got great emergency personnel that are working together should we have an emergency.”