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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-07-18, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013.Responders perform well in Bluevale mock disaster MacLellan trial to return in Dec. Continued from page 1help with the imitation downed elec-trical lines and advise as to the best course of action.Everyone who spoke said that theassembled emergency service work-ers did an excellent job of diffusingthe incident. Part of the event, however, was to find out what was done well andwhat could use improvement and afew of the speakers pointed out someissues the emergency service work-ers could be aware of.Marty Bedard, Fire Chief forHuron East, said that the rescue wentwell, but that in stressful times likethose caused by disasters, a scribe could be useful. “We could use someone writing down all those reports coming in,” he said. “A scribe would have helped keep all that information straight.” Bedard also pointed out that the non-serious triage was unmanned and that patients kept walking away from the area and needed to be chased down. Overall, however, he said the exer- cise was well done and said everyone did a great job. Fire Department of North Huron Deputy-Fire Chief David Sparling said that the operation was a success but noted that training may be neces- sary for electrical hazards and point- ed out that organizations like the Emergency Services Training Centre in Blyth and Hydro One do have training seminars available for emer- gency service workers. Students from HealthKick/ MedQUEST in Seaforth were on hand to provide the perfect analogue for students injured in such an event with expertly done makeup and well-practised screams for help. Marshallcommented on how great they did.“The students really brought in theemergency services individuals bydoing a great job of being in charac-ter,” he said. Marshall also said that he hopedeveryone made a mistake or two. “We want the mistakes to be made now, so I hope everyone made a mis- take or two that they fixed or kept working past,” he said. “Remember those and avoid them next time. We want those mistakes to be avoided in the real world. After the event, Marshall stated that there were 125 people involved in the exercise and approximately 25 injured individuals. OPP Constable and Media Relations Officer Jamie Stanley said that the exercise was a great time for people to work together and noted that the OPP have been involved since day one in working with the municipalities to provide disaster response plans. A full ‘cold’ debrief for the exer- cise was set for yesterday (Wednesday). Court proceedings involving Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan, who is charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, stemming from an incident in December, 2012, are now adjourned until Dec. 13, 2013. MacLellan was in court in Goderich alongside his defense attorney Glen Carey on July 10 where Judge R.G.E. Hunter heard testimony from two witnesses. The incident in question took place in Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh on Dec. 21, 2012. The trial is said to include at least five witnesses. Police were called as a result of the incident, in which two witnesses, Barbara Smyth and Kenneth Brindley, who testified last week, allege that MacLellan assaulted them after retrieving a mallet from his truck. When the trial returns to court in December, Carey will conclude his cross-examination of Brindley and the remaining witnesses will be called. Lending a (mock) hand We’ll all remember where we were during the great mock disaster of 2013 in Bluevale. OPP, firefighters and paramedics were all on scene as MedQuest students were made up to look as if their bus had been turned on its side and they were in real distress. Here a young female ‘victim’ is helped by handful of emergency responders. (Denny Scott photo) Art attack! Akeelah Baan was one of many youngsters who, at the Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church, received a lesson in art with sidewalk chalk during the church’s annual vacation bible school held all of last week. (Denny Scott photo) A unique experience awaits you in our charming town. Speciality shops, galleries, and restaurants will treat you to the care and personal service of a bygone era. blythandarea.ca JULY 27, 2013 12 PM - 5 PM Music Entertainment Farmers’ Market Food Artisans Vendors Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides “Kiss the Pig” Challenge For more information please call Lorna Fraser 519-523-9687 Silent Auction Visit participating merchants to bid 402 Queen St., Blyth • 519-523-4535 PIANO REFINISHING Pianovations Music CentreBUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen