Anniston Star
April 10, 2003

Training for emergency preparedness begins for pink zone residents

By Nathan Solheim
Star Staff Writer
04-10-2003

Iris stone tries on a protective hood Wednesday at the training session. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

Iris Stone took the protective hood in her hands, and taking instructions from a nearby trainer, raised it over her head and slipped it on securely around her neck. A little red light blinked on and the whir of a small filtration device sounded.

She was smiling through the plastic.

Then she took her thumbs and moved them under the elastic at the base of her head and slipped it off, her hairstyle completely intact.

And that's how Stone, who lives in Eulaton, got trained to operate a protective hood - one of several pieces of equipment being issued to Calhoun County residents in case of an accident at the Anniston Army Depot's chemical weapons stockpile.

Wednesday marked the opening of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan's Training and Distribution Center at McClellan.

Stone and a few other residents who live in the inner pink zone - the area closest to the chemical stockpile - went through the training and received their protective equipment, which also included an air filter and a shelter-in-place kit.

Like many residents receiving training, Stone said she thought the hood would look and act like a gas mask. Instead, she found a clear plastic hood and a charged charcoal filter that hangs down about the neck. Stone described the sensation of wearing it as light and airy.

"It's about like living in air conditioning," she said.

Residents learned the hoods have a five-year shelf life and it can be used once. The batteries last approximately four hours.

The process for Stone and others was easyt enough: sign in, answer a medical questionnaire (required for residents receiving a protective hood), attend a training class and then pick up their equipment.

Trainers scan each resident's name tag, which has a bar code, to ensure each person has received proper training for each piece of equipment.

Officials with Centech, which won a $14 million county contract to distribute the equipment and train residents in its use, and officials with the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency will spend the next four months giving out the equipment.

They started with residents who live closest to the incinerator. They will work outward to the rest of the county, where residents receive different pieces of equipment.

At a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony before the opening, Calhoun County Commission Chairman James A. "Pappy" Dunn called the opening of the center a historic crossroads for the county.

"The Calhoun County Commission feels strongly that this equipment is a valid part of giving maximum protection to the citizens," Dunn said. "Sometimes it seemed as if we were up against overwhelming odds, but with the help of many people, we overcame it."

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., outlined four criteria that must be in place for him to sign off on incineration. The protective equipment was one part of Shelby's requirements.

County commissioners have campaigned hard for the protective equipment over the past three years. Late last year, Shelby weighed in on the issue, requiring the Army and other federal agencies to fulfill and several protective measures. Overpressurization of schools and addressing Calhoun County's special-needs population remain.

"It's a step forward in helping us start safely destroying the weapons," said Tim Garrett, the project manager for Anniston's incinerator.

Over the next few months, Centech will distribute 22,000 adult protective hoods and 750 infant hoods as well as 40,000 shelter-in-place kits and 20,000 air filters.

Residents will be notified by mail when to pick up their equipment.

David Ford, a spokesman for the EMA, said it would be at least a couple of weeks before distribution moves to the rest of the pink zone.

"It will be soon, but there's no specific date yet," Ford said. "We have to look at it and see that they've gotten all the people in the inner zone."

Those receiving protective hoods will have to fill out a general medical questionnaire so nurses can determine if a hood is appropriate for residents. The questionnaire pertains to general medical information and is not a medical examination.

Also, residents with infants must demonstrate the ability to place an infant hood on their child.

Residents who trickled through the process Wednesday said they felt safer having the equipment.

Nellie and Clarence Satcher, both of the Eulaton area, made it through the training, although Nellie Satcher wondered if she'd remember all the information.

"Training's fine," Nellie said. "I don't know if it's going to stick or not."

"I think it's a good thing to have around, just in case you need it," said Clarence.

Joseph Foster of Anniston said he learned a good bit, especially about sealing off his safe room.

"It'll help give you some peace of mind," Foster said. "Hopefully, it'll never come to that."