MAHONING VALLEY Drill will test responses to terrorism, explosion

The mock disaster will involve an explosion after an attempted train hijacking.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A simulated train derailment and hostage situation will be on the table next week as local safety officials train for handling disasters.
"It will be quite an interesting scenario, really," said Walter Duzzny, director of the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency.
Emergency and safety forces from western Mahoning and northern Columbiana counties will participate in a tabletop exercise in Sebring. It's part of a federal mandate from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for local preparedness.
The exercise concept will focus on a self-proclaimed "revenge society" that takes over a 31-car train passing through the Sebring and Beloit areas, Duzzny said. During the attempt to take control of the tanker cars, the train derails and causes an explosion in the Sebring business district.
Out for revenge
At the same time, leaders of the revenge society will converge on the county court in Sebring to support release of one of the group's members.
Duzzny said computerized scene situations and graphics will be utilized to enhance the realism of the exercise. Facilitators will inject situations that initiate response activities.
"This exercise is a double-edged response for our safety services, in that it combines a chemical release in a populated area along with terrorist actions," Duzzny said.
He said Sebring is a perfect site for the drill because there are Conrail railroad tracks through the center of the village.
The event is planned in conjunction with national exercises conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Duzzny said.
bjackson@vindy.com