On Friday, June 13, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM), in collaboration with officials from Payette and Washington counties, successfully executed a full-scale hazardous materials (HazMat) exercise aimed at enhancing the state’s emergency preparedness capabilities.
This comprehensive training event took place at the Amalgamated Sugar Company on 829 W. 9th Street, providing first responders with a realistic setting to practice essential protocols and improve inter-agency communication. The simulated scenario involved a gaseous chemical release from a rail tanker car, offering a critical opportunity to evaluate hazard identification, public alert systems, tactical containment strategies, and joint response maneuvers.
Emergency personnel donned full hazmat suits as they navigated through active decontamination procedures. Multi-agency response teams worked diligently to contain the simulated hazards, demonstrating readiness and coordination among a diverse group of stakeholders. Importantly, the exercise posed no risk to public health or safety, as no actual hazardous materials were used or released during the drill.
Participating agencies included the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, Washington County, Payette County, Union Pacific, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho State Police, Caldwell Fire Department, Boise Fire Department, and several others, showcasing a robust network of cooperation among local, state, and federal entities.
The exercise aligns with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Goal, reflecting IOEM’s commitment to building and sustaining capabilities to respond to a wide range of emergencies.
Tristan Lewis, Public Affairs Officer for IOEM, provided on-site support and oversight during the exercise for media, on camera were Adam Gonzalez, Payette County Emergency Manager and Ben Roeber, Bureau Chief of IOEM, both were present to oversee operations and ensure successful coordination throughout the event.
