80 Participants Expected For Hazardous Material Exercise

Release Date: August 19, 2004 Release number: R6-04-110

DENTON, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of Louisiana and St. James Parish will evaluate local response to a hazardous materials incident in a full-scale exercise to be held next week. Emergency officials will respond to a simulated lightening strike to a benzene pump at the Chevron-Phillips plant in St. James Parish.

For months, local officials have refined emergency response procedures in preparation for the exercise. Fire, law enforcement, medical staff and local industry will join the exercise on Tuesday, August 24, 2004. FEMA will direct the evaluation using a national program called CHER-CAP (Community Hazards Emergency Response-Capability Assurance Process).

“Exercises improve response to real emergencies,” said Ron Castleman, FEMA Regional Director. “When fire, police, medical and industry professionals plan, train and practice together, they are more effective in protecting the community from any threat.”

More than 80 participants from parish and state governments, private business and volunteer organizations will play in the exercise. Peer evaluators from three states will assess the players’ response.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.