Emergency crews respond to faux chlorine spill

First responders and medical professional reacted to a chemical and biological hazard situation outside Terrebonne General Medical Center on Friday morning that involved approximately 100 victims and rescue workers in a drill to measure hospital preparedness.

The annual exercise revolved around the scenario of a major chlorine spill having taken place close to the hospital’s emergency wing near the intersection of Houma and Liberty Streets.

Medical center personnel as well as members of the Houma Police Department, Houma Fire Department, Louisiana State Police Troop C and Acadian Ambulance Service took action during the hazardous material decontamination test, which included crowd control and exercised usage of a decontamination tent as participants made their procedural walkthrough. Local government officials also participated in the drill.

Hospitals are required to conduct annual tests to measure their preparedness to handle natural disasters, terrorist attacks or any other threats the communities they serve might face.

“TGMC is conducting this disaster drill in order to take a proactive role in assessing our preparedness,” said the medical center’s president and CEO Phyllis Peoples.

“Once the assessment is complete our multidisciplinary team identifies areas which could be a potential danger and our disaster preparedness is put to the test,” Peoples said.

Marketing Director Rhonda Alfred said after the event that she thought it went well and noted how conducting the annual exercise keeps all emergency personnel aware of their responsibilities so they can act quickly and efficiently in case a real disaster were to take place.

Terrebonne General Medical Center staff, along with first responders, participated in a disaster drill Friday outside the hospital emergency entrance. The drill included use of a decontamination tent, which was set up for participants at the corner of Houma and Liberty Streets. COURTESY PHOTO