The Vertellus Performance Chemical Plant in Elma will be the main focus of a multi-day hazardous material exercise sponsored by the Grays Harbor Local Emergency Planning Committee Friday and Saturday.

According to a statement from Chuck Wallace, Deputy Director of Grays Harbor Emergency Management, the exercise will involve simulation of a hazardous material release triggered by an earthquake. Units from Grays Harbor Fire District 5, Elma Fire Department, Grays Harbor Fire District 2, Grays Harbor Emergency Management, the Washington National Guard, Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Summit Pacific Hospital and Mason General Hospital in Mason County will participate.

The Vertellus Plant, located on Highway 12 just south of Elma, will simulate damage to their system pipeline with injuries to personnel. Their goal is to practice plant shutdown procedures, product containment, personnel treatment and transport to the hospital. Area hospitals will exercise their ability to manage and triage an overwhelming number of patients impacted by the event.

The exercise will take place Friday and Saturday. Wallace said residents may notice staging of equipment at various places throughout the county, as well as military and civilian vehicles, fire apparatus and ambulances driving from the Vertellus site and Grays Harbor Fire District #2 to area and regional hospitals.

“The exercise provides another opportunity for numerous local and regional agencies to interact with National Guard units,” said Wallace. “The Grays Harbor County Local Emergency Planning Committee is extremely pleased that the Vertellus Performance Chemicals plant in Elma stepped forward and requested to be the focus of the exercise, which will test and enhance numerous emergency and response plans throughout the region.”