Dear Editor,

Dallas County conducted a hazardous materials training exercise on Saturday. Over 100 individuals gave up their Saturday to participate in the exercise in one way or another.

I want to thank the players: Craig, Sardis and Tyler volunteer fire departments, Selma Fire, Dallas County Hazmat Team, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Selma Police Department, CARE Ambulance, Vaughan Regional Medical Center, E-911, Dallas County EMA Volunteers and Dallas County CERT members.

I want to thank the observers: Valley Grande, Summerfield and Burnsville volunteer fire departments, Alan Dailey, Walter Dailey, James Dailey, Bradley Cooper, Rhonda Abbott, Joe Abbott, Chief Henry Allen, Mayor James Perkins Jr., Commissioner Roy Moore, and Commissioner Curtis Williams.

Judge Kim Ballard, Commissioner Connell Towns, and Commissioner Clifford Hunter were unable to attend due to previous commitments, but they always support EMA activities and I really appreciate them all.

I want to thank the controllers and evaluators: Stephanie Gibson with Alabama EMA; Jim Lumpkin, E-911 board member and EMA volunteer; Investigator Mike Grantham; Deputy LaRay Donaldson and Lee Helms & Associates.

Last, but not least, I want to thank Dallas County Water & Sewer Authority, Craig Airport Authority for facilitating us; Al&8217;s Wrecker for the crashed van; Logon Farms for the truck and trailer that held the mock toxic chemicals; and The Selma Times-Journal for covering the event.

Dallas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), under the leadership of Mike Stokes and Jebb Harrison obtained the grant funding from Alabama Department of Transportation, through the State EMA office to conduct the exercise.

The exercise objectives were to test our ability to respond to a transportation accident involving a hazardous chemical.

Thanks to the professionalism and hard work of the above mentioned players, I believe Dallas County is ready to effectively respond.

Pam Cook

Dallas County EMA