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Emergency Management reports countywide severe-weather responses and hazmat mutual aid
Summary
Jackson County Emergency Management reported a string of incidents in the last quarter including mutual-aid hazmat responses, a March 30 severe-wind event that generated 591 calls, a 140-gallon diesel spill, a large CO2 leak, school-threat responses and a Walmart bomb threat.
Jackson County Emergency Management presented its quarterly report to the Public Safety and Transportation Committee on June 9, detailing several significant incidents and training activity from the last quarter.
The office said the county Hazmat team provided mutual aid to Hillsdale County on March 15 for a leaking 10,000-gallon propane tank and assisted with air monitoring. On March 30 the county experienced severe weather that generated about 591 calls between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.; the report cited a 96-mph wind gust at the county airport and moderate home damage and widespread power outages. On April 2, Columbia Township agencies responded to an estimated 140-gallon diesel spill after a semi’s saddle tank ruptured; the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) was notified and responded.
Emergency Management also described an April 4 incident in Blackman Township involving a large CO2 leak; the county Hazmat team secured the scene and cleared the hazard. The report noted that a missing child under age 3 was located along I-94 on April 5 and returned to safety. The office said it received multiple school-violence threats, mostly via social media, which multiple agencies investigated. On May 27 Blackman Township and Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat at a Walmart on Michigan Avenue; staff said the building was evacuated and no device was found.
On grants and equipment, Emergency Management reported FY 2022 projects have closed; approved FY 2022 carryover purchased hazmat chlorine and boom kits and an EOC computer matrix switch. FY 2023 local approval included up to $10,000 for EOC videoconference equipment, and staff said they are working with IT on equipment selection. Training highlights included an incident-command functional course to be offered locally in July using Homeland Security grant funds, a public-information exercise hosted by the county health department, and participation at the Great Lakes Homeland Security Conference.
Committee members had no questions and voted to receive the report.
