How central Ohio prepares for a chemical, hazmat leak

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — While the chemical leak in Hamilton County happened more than 100 miles away from the Columbus area, it is still a situation local first responders and emergency management officials have been paying attention to. 

“From what I know and what I can see there, they’re doing everything we would probably do in this area," said Chris Craig, an assistant chief with the Worthington Division of Fire and EMS and a liaison with the Northwest Area Strike Team (NAS-T). 

The Worthington Division of Fire and EMS is one of 11 local departments which make up NAS-T. Craig described it as a special team for hazmat situations in the area. 

“Our job as hazardous materials technicians and specialists is to go there, analyze what the products are, what’s going on, and provide that information to the incident commanders to make those kind of decisions," he said.  

Local emergency management agencies are also often involved in these types of situations. Jeff Young, Franklin County EMA and Homeland Security director, said his agency ends up being support for first responders. 

-“We want to make sure they’ve got the information they need and that’ll drive the actions they take on the scene," Young said. "Their professionalism, their training, they take it very seriously, and they work well together. We’re in a very collaborative environment in Franklin County so it really drives up the safety aspect of our community and those resources are in place.” 

While every situation is different, Craig and Young said local teams train for incidents like the chemical leak every year. 

“I think my message to central Ohioans would be the same as it is for fire and EMS response: that we have highly trained professionals that are equipped and ready to respond to these," Craig said. 

Young also said the Hamilton County leak should serve as a reminder for families to go over their own evacuation and emergency plans.