EMA holds exercise

The Van Wert County Emergency Management/LEPC held a hazardous materials exercise Wednesday at the Willshire Fire Department. According to EMA Director Rick McCoy, the drill involved a collision of two semis in the village, with the spill of chemicals into a drain tile and, eventually, the St. Marys River. With heavy truck traffic moving through Willshire daily, McCoy said it gave participants the opportunity to look at local emergency plans on evacuation procedures, traffic control and resources needed in the event that a crash with dangerous chemicals would actually occur. Personnel from the following agencies (some are shown above) attended: Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Emergency Management, Adams County EMA, Van Wert County EMA, Willshire Fire Department and Willshire village officials. (Van Wert EMA photo)