nuclear-news

West Hartford Preps For Hypothetical Nuclear Nightmare

The town is a host community for hypothetical evacuees living near a nuclear power plant in the state, with the largest drill ever planned.

Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff, May 7, 2023  https://patch.com/connecticut/westhartford/west-hartford-preps-nuclear-nightmare
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Armageddon is not scheduled to break out in West Hartford on Saturday, May 13.

But it will only seem that way at Conard High School, where a faux nuclear disaster will play out that “fateful” day.

The West Hartford Fire Department and West Hartford Office of Emergency Management will conduct the largest, full-scale disaster drill in the town’s history.

As a result, residents are advised the parking lots at Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road, will not be accessible during the drill hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Town officials also warn that there will be a heavy presence of fire and police department personnel in the area.

“This is all part of the exercise,” wrote the town in an announcement last week.

The scenario for the drill is to activate West Hartford’s Emergency Shelter at Conard High School and be ready to receive and process residents of Montville and Waterford.

These “residents” were asked to evacuate due to an incident at the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in Waterford.

West Hartford’s role is to scan evacuees and their vehicles and pets for hazardous particles and then provide assistance, counseling and placement services, if needed, according to the town.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be evaluating West Hartford’s readiness to serve as a “Host Community Reception Center” during this drill.

This exercise follows a practice drill held April 14 which allowed West Hartford to receive feedback in areas needing improvement.

The May 13 exercise involves about 150 staff, volunteers and role players from seven town departments and eight outside agencies.

Those agencies include the State Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, American Red Cross, Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, FEMA and Dominion Energy.

For more information on these exercises, email the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management at OEM@westhartfordct.gov.

For more information on the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, click on this link.

May 8, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA