Emergency responders from multiple agencies in Independence County executed a mock drill on Thursday simulating a hazardous materials incident to test regional readiness for large-scale emergencies.
The exercise occurred near Southerland Drive and Stadium Drive in Batesville and involved a simulated vehicle collision with one of the area's chicken plants. The mock crash was staged to replicate a leak of toxic anhydrous ammonia—a refrigerant commonly used in industrial facilities.
The drill participants included Batesville Fire and Rescue, Vital Link EMS, Survival Flight, the Batesville Police Department, and the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, among others, said Independence County Coroner Randell Crabtree. Six individuals, portraying injured victims, were extricated from the mock crash scene and transported for treatment at White River Health. Their simulated injuries ranged in severity, with some requiring surgery and others receiving immediate medical treatment or imaging assessments. Survival Flight crews practiced airlifting patients with critical conditions.
Crabtree and Bill Johnson, the county’s Office of Emergency Management Director, began planning the event roughly six months ago. Crabtree noted this was the first local emergency readiness drill in a decade but said he hopes to organize more in the future.
“We used to hold these every year, and we’re trying to bring that back,” he said. “It helps everyone stay prepared and work together under real-world scenarios.”
The drill incorporated various realistic details, such as mock patients with specific injuries or medical complications. Volunteers, including members of Crabtree's family and local students on fall break, portrayed the injured. Officials notified participating agencies of the drill in advance but withheld details to enhance response authenticity. Measures were also taken to avoid public confusion, such as conducting the drill in a relatively low-traffic area and avoiding police radio broadcasts about the scenario.
The entire exercise lasted an hour and 15 minutes and involved approximately 50 participants. Crabtree expressed satisfaction with the results, though he noted that communication remains a common challenge in response efforts. Agencies often use separate communication channels, which can complicate coordination during time-sensitive operations.
“Even during drills, communication is always the biggest issue,” he said. “But everyone worked together and responded like it was the real thing.”
Crabtree emphasized the importance of drills in allowing responders to practice critical skills while fostering cooperation among agencies. He indicated a desire to conduct future drills involving other local entities, such as the Pleasant Plains Fire Department’s rescue unit or the sheriff’s office dive team. Ideas for future scenarios include staged prom night accidents to educate young drivers about the consequences of impaired or distracted driving.
“Talking about it or reading about it isn’t the same as seeing it in action,” he said. “These drills let us prepare while also showing the community that we’re working together to keep them safe.”