The county’s annual Columbus Day training began with specialized sessions in individual departments, followed by a group training at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Jamie Campbell described the format during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
“The departments all have specialized training in the morning for their staff members,” Campbell said. “Then they come to the courthouse, and there’s a mass training held here.”
Campbell thanked Safety Committee Chair Emily Sternsdorf and committee members for organizing the event. She said the gathering also gave county employees a chance to connect with colleagues they may not see often.
Employees also toured Benedictine College’s new library. Campbell thanked Courtney Keegan, a part-time county EMT and full-time college educator, for leading the tour.
On Wednesday morning, emergency response agencies and healthcare partners, including the City of Atchison Police and Fire Departments, took part in a full-scale hazardous materials exercise from 9 to 11:00.
The exercise tested coordination, communications, hazardous materials response, patient care, public information and incident command.
Activities took place near Gasoline Alley, the Atchison County Health Department and Amberwell Hospital; and those residents who may have seen additional emergency vehicles and first responders in those areas are reminded that it was only a drill.
