SRS emergency response tested at annual exercise

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Savannah River Site, SRS, firefighters conducted their annual emergency preparedness drill for a radiation release at a plutonium removal site in Aiken.

Officials say almost 250 participants attended the drill on June 6.

The scenario simulated a truck crash at the removal site causing a leak of radiation, with firefighters having to respond to mock injuries and death and practice protective measures for the area, according to the news release.

“Our job requires that we respond to unique hazards on SRS, which makes regularly conducting drills and exercises helpful in ensuring operational preparedness for our first responders,” said SRS Fire Chief Travis Scott.

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This simulation had SRS responders working with hospital staff to treat those with mock injuries and for decontamination.

Amber Rodriquez is the Site’s Drills and Exercise Manager. She said, “We had full participation from outside entities like the Barnwell Coroner, Doctors Hospital, and WellStar MCG Health to make this exercise as real as possible.”

SRS also included the Argonne National Laboratory’s Public Affairs Science and Technology Fusion Cell Academy to simulate media by generating mock news reports to test the SRS’s public relations emergency capabilities.

“From a communications standpoint, Argonne was able to pinpoint our limitations and share best practices across the Department of Energy Complex,” said Rodriquez. “They added another layer of realism into this exercise by simulating media, interacting with SRNS executives as press, formulating outside news reports, and blasting fake news on social media.”

Officials say the type and location of each scenario are determined by a five-year plan that cycles through all areas and potential hazards at the Site.