Callaway County awaits results in biennial nuclear drill

Callaway County will know by the end of the year how it fared in a biennial exercise to test response to emergency situations dealing with the Callaway Energy Center's nuclear power plant southeast of Fulton.

In a preliminary assessment, some local officials said they felt the drill on Sept. 24 went well.

"It was a good drill. We have some things we need to work on and it was a good exercise for us," Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said.

The drill simulated various emergencies at the Callaway Energy Center. At the same time, a mock earthquake in Callaway County downed some bridges, damaged roads and caused some buildings to collapse.

More than 40 state, county and non-governmental agencies - including those in Callaway, Gasconade, Montogmery and Osage counties - participated in the exercise, according to a fact sheet provided by FEMA.

"There's a lot of participation in one of the exercises like this," said Norman Valentine, a supervisor senior specialist for FEMA's district VII.

He noted agencies like the Missouri Highway Patrol and American Red Cross participated as well as local fire departments.

Chris Pfau, assistant fire chief for South Callaway Fire Protection District, was the fire coordinator for county firefighter operations - that included communicating to utilize county resources like moving firefighting apparatus and personnel to the proper locations in response to an emergency.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.