Oyen UFA conducts ERP drill

By Joan Janzen

OYEN - The UFA Farm Supply in Oyen conducted an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) on-site drill on Monday evening, September 22nd. The local volunteer fire department, along with on-duty EMTs participated in the simulation of a real-life chemical shed fire at UFA.

UFA Farm Supply in Oyen held an ERP drill on Monday evening, September 22nd simulating a chem shed fire. The local volunteer fire department and on duty EMTs came out for the practice drill. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Frank Hauck, the store manager, said he’s been working with the fire chief for a couple of years to see if this could happen, and this year it worked out. Frank appreciates his staff - Kasey Job, Kim Walker, Randy Lee and Kathrin Grohmann who volunteered after hours to make the event happen, as well as the UFA farm store staff.

“We have to have an ERP drill twice a year,” he explained. “Usually we do our own small ones where we walk through it ourselves.” This year’s drill gave the firefighters experience working with a number of buildings and a chemical shed. The drill also involved a northwest wind and injuries. The full-scale practice exercises allow firefighters and EMTs to become familiar with the procedures needed and identify where improvements are needed.

“I’d like to thank the Oyen volunteer firefighters and Oyen EMS for their dedication, and our staff for working with us,” Frank concluded. Thanks to everyone’s help the ERP was successfully completed.