Multi-Agency Disaster Drill to be Held Aug. 17

At a news conference today (Thursday), officials from Clinton County Office of Emergency Services, City of Plattsburgh, CVPH Medical Center and Plattsburgh State announced that the disaster drill would commence at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 and would involve numerous emergency service agencies from throughout Clinton County and beyond.

The agencies involved will respond to a mock disaster at Memorial Hall. During the drill, more than 100 Plattsburgh State resident assistants and residence hall directors will serve as victims in a mock scenario involving an attack using weapons of mass destruction during the staged event at the College. 

Clinton County Office of Emergency Services Director James King said the drill would involve all levels and functions of the county's emergency system.

King said, "The purpose of the drill is to ensure that the various agencies within Clinton County are prepared to respond in a coordinated, effective manner utilizing the Incident Command System to address an incident involving weapons of mass destruction."

The agencies involved in the drill will include: CVPH Medical Center, City of Plattsburgh fire and police departments, Plattsburgh City School District, Plattsburgh State, University Police, New York State Police, Red Cross, Federal Police and numerous area volunteer fire departments and ambulance services along with various Clinton County agencies including Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, health, sheriff and coroner. Twelve additional hospitals throughout Northern New York will participate in the drill through the New York State Health Emergency Response System.

More than 400 representatives from these agencies are expected to participate in the drill.

King said that the public should be aware of the drill and the number of emergency vehicles that will be participating in this event on Aug. 17.

"It is important that the public understand that drills are necessary to test agencies' strengths and weaknesses in responding to emergencies. We hope that residents in and around the City of Plattsburgh will not be alarmed or too inconvenienced by this exercise."

Rugar Street will be blocked off beginning around 10 a.m. for the exercise, and motorists should use alternate streets during the drill.

For more information about the multi-agency disaster drill, individuals can contact:

Clinton County Emergency Services
James King, Director
Kelly Donoghue, Assistant Director
518-565-4791

Plattsburgh City Mayor's Office
Dan Stewart, Mayor
518-563-7701

Plattsburgh State
Keith Tyo, Director of Communications
518-564-2090

CVPH Medical Center
Ed Lydon, Assistance Vice President, Facilities and Emergency Management
518-562-7449