LEPC begins work on 2010 disaster drill

The 2009 Vernon County disaster drill is history and the Vernon County Local Emergency Planning Committee will be starting work on the 2010 drill in September.

"We had a good turn-out," Dennis Kimrey, Vernon County emergency management director, said during Wednesday's LEPC meeting about the July 21 drill that was held at the Sheldon School.

Kimrey said that he heard several people comment that this was the best drill they have ever had.

"We were short-handed during the day as we knew we would be," Kimrey said, adding that some of the people who did not participate said that they would have been there if it was a real disaster.

"We did it during the day so we had all day to do it, but it was over in two hours. I was shocked," he said.

Since all of the rural fire departments in Vernon County are volunteer departments many of their members have to work during the day.

"We had victims all over the place," Kimrey said, adding that Med-Flight came in and landed and Barton County Ambulance and Lamar Fire Department also took part.

He said that the weather even cooperated and rain stopped falling during the drill.

Doug Hundley, Nevada Regional Medical Center, said that the drill went pretty smoothly for them.

"There were some issues, but they have been addressed," he said.

He said that they had a steady flow of "victims" and that it was one of the best drills we have had.

"We were pleased," Hundley said.

Vernon County LEPC chairman Ron Brown said he thought the drill was a good learning experience, overall.

"There were a few issues, but that is that is the reason for the drill -- to find those issues. They have been corrected or are being worked on," he said.

"I want to thank the Sheldon Fire Department for hosting it. They did an excellent job," Brown said.

David May, Sheldon Fire Department, said that some people were shocked that we were able to pull it off.

"It was a good learning experience for Sheldon," Kimrey said.

Ron Brown said that this would be a good time to start thinking about the 2010 drill and get a committee together to start thinking about what kind of a drill to have and when to hold it.

"We need to start thinking about it and get an earlier start next year," Brown said.