In conjunction with several area hospitals and ambulance companies, PP&L, Inc., will conduct a medical emergency drill Thursday night (6/18) at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick.
"Drills such as this provide an opportunity for medical emergency response personnel at the plant and in the community to practice the procedures that would be necessary should a worker at the plant be injured and radiologically contaminated," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, PP&L, Inc.'s special assistant to the president for Susquehanna.
About 100 people from the Susquehanna plant, Berwick paramedics, Berwick Hospital Center, Penn State-Geisinger Medical Center and its Life Lion helicopter, and the Hunlock Township and Hobbie volunteer ambulance companies are expected to participate in the drill.
"The drill scenario calls for workers to be injured and radiologically contaminated in a simulated accident inside the plant," said Woodeshick. "Because of the extent of the simulated injuries, immediate medical treatment is needed and the workers can't be decontaminated before they are transported to the hospital.
"Through the drill scenario, plant staff members and the community medical emergency response personnel will practice the special procedures needed to handle this type of situation," he said.
The drill will begin in the plant sometime after 7 p.m.
Responding initially will be the plant's first aid team. After assessing the condition of the workers, they will call for outside assistance. At least one worker will be transported by ambulance to Berwick Hospital Center.
Weather permitting, Life Lion will respond to transport another worker to Penn State-Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The helicopter will land on the plant's main access road and the worker will be transported from inside the plant to the helicopter by one of the community ambulances, Woodeshick said.
"Usually these annual drills are conducted during the day," he added. "This drill is being held at night at the request of the participating community medical emergency response agencies, so that employees on night shift get an opportunity to practice."
While the drill is being conducted, members of PP&L, Inc.'s Emergency Planning group will be observing the participants to determine what is done well and where improvements can be made in procedures, Woodeshick said. A written report on the drill will be given to participants in about two weeks.
The Susquehanna plant, jointly owned by PP&L, Inc. and Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., is located about five miles northeast of Berwick along Route 11.