Amid the oppressive heat last week, the public safety department in Cottage Grove, participated in a very important training drill. Cottage Grove is a designated reception center for evacuated persons to be decontaminated should there ever be a radiologic accident at Prairie Island Nuclear Plant located just 26 miles south of Hastings. This years drill was evaluated by state HSEM officials.
In the unlikely event of an accidental release of radioactive material, residents in the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone area surrounding the plant may be advised to evacuate to one of three Community Reception Centers-one of which will be set up at Park High School in Cottage Grove-which provide on-site radiation monitoring and decontamination of evacuees, evacuee registration, medical triage, disaster stress counseling and off-site congregate care facilities and transportation. Since the host counties are responsible for setting up and operating the reception centers for the first twelve hours of operation, Cottage Grove Public Safety personnel WILL BE involved in this process. After 12 hours, the state will supply resources and personnel.This large scale exercise involved over 100 participants, from the State of MN and Washington Countys Emergency Management departments, MN National Guard, Health Department, South East Amateur Radio Club (SEMARC), police, fire personnel from Cottage Groves public safety department and many other volunteers.
Emergency Drill Prepares for Decontamination
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