On June 30, 2025, more than 100 emergency responders from 10 agencies in Clermont County participated in the training exercise. Participants tested their ability to manage a simulated hazardous materials release near the Nestlé Purina plant in Williamsburg Township. Photo provided.
On June 30, 2025, more than 100 emergency responders from 10 agencies in Clermont County participated in the training exercise. Participants tested their ability to manage a simulated hazardous materials release near the Nestlé Purina plant in Williamsburg Township. Photo provided.
On June 30, 2025, more than 100 emergency responders from 10 agencies in Clermont County participated in the training exercise. Participants tested their ability to manage a simulated hazardous materials release near the Nestlé Purina plant in Williamsburg Township. Photo provided.
Recently, Clermont County played host to a full-scale emergency responders training exercise.
On June 30, more than 100 emergency responders from 10 agencies in Clermont County participated in the training exercise. Participants tested their ability to manage a simulated hazardous materials release near the Nestlé Purina plant in Williamsburg Township.
Pam Haverkos, committee lead and director of Clermont County’s Emergency Management Agency, said, “This was a great opportunity for our Local Emergency Planning Committee to get hands-on experience and strengthen coordination between multiple emergency response agencies.”
A training of this nature is mandated by state law. Ursula Thomas Miller, communications coordinator in Clermont County’s Office of Public Information, explained that Ohio Revised Code 3750 requires the LEPC to facilitate an annual hazardous materials exercise, one of which must be a full-scale exercise during the four-year exercise cycle.
“Exercises provide a safe environment to test our emergency response plans and procedures. Exercise players provide lessons learned on what went well and areas for improvement. This feedback is integrated into future updates of the County Emergency Operation Plan,” Haverkos added.
Williamsburg Township Emergency Services has been working with Nestlé Purina to plan, train and drill for a variety of hazards such as fire, medical emergencies, confined space rescue, and hazardous material releases throughout the plant construction process.
“This exercise was an opportunity to integrate additional Nestlé Purina team members and public safety partners that will support Williamsburg Township during a large-scale incident,” Haverkos said.
Participating agencies included Williamsburg Township Emergency Services, Nestlé Purina, Design Within Reach, Clermont County Emergency Management Agency/LEPC, Clermont County Department of Public Safety Services, Clermont County’s Sheriff’s Office, Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit, Mercy Health Clermont Hospital, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Clermont County Water Resources, and the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. Additionally, Miami Township Police Department, Miami Township Fire and EMS, Union Township Fire Department, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department and The Health Collaborative, and the Clermont County Board of County Commissioners provided exercise support.
Miller explained that Clermont County’s Local Emergency Response Planning Committee was established following passage of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, or SARA Title III, to inform and educate local communities on hazardous substances that are produced, used, stored, and/or transported within the planning district.