For the first time since the startup of nerve agent destruction, a Chemical Accident/Incident Response and Assistance exercise will take place Wednesday at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Such exercises are held quarterly at the Madison County installation.
Blue Grass Chemical Activity Public Affairs Officer Angie Messinger said county residents may hear chimes, which is one of three siren sounds. “One’s the steady, one’s the warbling, and one is the Westminster chimes. So the Westminster chimes means it’s all clear, it’s just an exercise, but that is what they may hear and there’s no cause, no need to be alarmed,” said Messinger.
Messinger says the exercise typically involves a scenario where munitions are being moved on the Depot grounds. But, Messinger noted no movement of agent will take place during the exercise. “We make sure we de-conflict what is going on in that area of the depot. So, on a day that we would routinely be moving say some GB rounds over to the demil plant for destruction, we will not schedule an exercise that day,” explained Messinger.
In addition to depot personnel, Messinger said representatives from Madison, Fayette, Powell, Estill, and Clark Counties will participate in the exercise. Messinger noted she’s been involved in 15 to 20 previous exercises. Two such exercises have been conducted since the startup of mustard agent destruction last June.?
People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Central and Eastern Kentucky. To support this locally-produced content, please consider making a contribution.
