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District, County and First Responders Practice Regional Reunification After Simulated Chemical Release
Summary
Superintendent reported that Evergreen Public Schools joined a regional reunification exercise at ESD 112 simulating a train chlorine gas release; districts, law enforcement, fire and other stakeholders tested communication and reunification procedures.
Evergreen Public Schools officials reported May 13 that the district participated in a large regional reunification exercise to test response and communication plans for a simulated hazardous‑materials incident.
Superintendent Dr. Maloney told the board the Clark Regional Schools reunification exercise, hosted at ESD 112, included school‑district administrators, the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, fire officials, CRESA and other stakeholders. The scenario was a train carrying a chemical that released chlorine gas, prompting coordinated evacuations and reunification planning for students and surrounding communities.
"This was a massive event," Maloney said, describing a facilitator‑led tabletop, a large functional exercise and a debrief. The exercise tested how districts would communicate across agencies, confirm reunification sites and coordinate responses when schools and surrounding neighborhoods are affected.
Maloney commended the district's safety and security staff for leading preparedness work and said the exercise revealed areas for improvement even as participants felt generally well prepared. No specific policy changes were announced at the May 13 meeting; the exercise was described as part of routine emergency‑response planning among regional partners.
