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More than 300 county employees and volunteers from several community agencies took part in a drill that tested Oswego County's Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan in late June. The drill involved a simulated accident at the Nine Mile Point Unit II Plant in Scriba.

All counties that host nuclear power plants are required to have comprehensive plans in place to protect the safety of those living and working in a 10-mile radius of the nuclear facility. County agencies and nuclear facility operators train throughout the year to test emergency response procedures. The drills are thorough and often intense; everyone carries out their duties as though it were a true emergency.

Every two years the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) evaluates the emergency operations of the county and state, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) tests and evaluates the nuclear utility companies. The Oswego County Emergency Management Office, directed by Patricia Egan, is responsible for coordinating the county's portion of the program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will test the state and county agencies in a full-scale exercise in August. Last month's drill was a practice exercise.

County agencies demonstrated decision-making procedures, communications, public information, and radiological monitoring in several locations. The exercise took place in a compressed timeframe, with events escalating much more quickly than they would occur in real-life. The County Emergency Management Office in Fulton serves as the emergency operations center (EOC) for the county. A large room is equipped with numerous desks, phone lines and computer equipment so that agencies may coordinate with each other. Shortly after the drill began, the EOC was quickly activated with representatives from all county departments that have a role in emergency response operations.

They include members of the sheriff's office, health department, department of public works, county administration, E-911, fire coordinator's office, planning and community development, social services, emergency management staff, and volunteers from many other county departments. Also on hand are representatives of the state police, Fulton and Oswego city police departments, state Emergency Management Office, American Red Cross, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, and Oswego County BOCES. Status briefings were held on a regular basis to keep all informed of the drill scenario and simulated response activities. Members of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) provided backup radio communications.

As Legislature Chairman, my job was to oversee emergency response activities and recommend actions to protect local residents. Emergency alert system messages were generated that would send children home from school, close parks and recreation areas, and clear the Oswego River and Lake Ontario of boaters and anglers. As the drill progressed and the scenario deteriorated, I issued instructions that would have residents in some areas evacuate and take their KI pills, and have others shelter and remain indoors.

Monitoring teams from the Palermo Volunteer Fire Department and the Oswego County Sheriff's Office were sent out to monitor radiation from the plants and relay information back to the county representatives at the EOC. County workers also set up a monitoring center at the county highway garage in Parish.

At the Joint News Center at the County Airport in Volney, representatives of the county, state and Constellation Energy were required to show they could provide timely and accurate information to the public. County public information staff simulated the activation of the Emergency Alert System, including sirens and tone-alert radios that would be used in a real emergency. Press releases were written to inform the public of school closings, evacuation routes, and other information that would be vital in a real emergency. At the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, several Onondaga County employees set up a reception center that would be used in the event of a real evacuation.

Throughout the drill, representatives of Constellation Energy were in constant communication, sharing important information about plant conditions and meteorological data with county and state decision-makers.

Each radiological exercise involves a tremendous amount of coordination by the county and state, Constellation Energy and Entergy Nuclear, and many community agencies. We share a common goal - to protect the health and safety of Oswego County's citizens. Because of our frequent practice, the county is better prepared to respond to emergencies such as blizzards, ice storms, and power outages.

For more information on radiological and emergency planning in Oswego County, or to receive a copy of "2005 Public Emergency Response Information," visit the county Web site at www.oswegocounty.com or call the Emergency Management Office at 591-9150 or 1-800-962-2792.