Operation: Lethal Vapor
Port of Camas-Washougal
Camas, WA

October 15, 2011 — A multi-agency Hazardous Material Drill was conducted at the Port of Camas-Washougal in Camas, Washington. The operation simulated Ammonia leaking from a railroad tanker car, in an industrial park, when a school bus loaded with children passed through the area.

Responders needed to focus on several areas simultaneously such as: stopping the Ammonia leak and cleaning the contaminated area; setting up a decontamination tent to treat patients and responders; and setting up a triage center to coordinate medical treatment and transportation of the patients.

Lethal Vapor was a joint venture between East (Clark) County Fire & Rescue and Skamania County Fire District; but also included the Regional HazMat Response Team (from Vancouver), LifeFlight (who had to cancel for an actual emergency); US Coast Guard helicopter; Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (Clark County 9-1-1); the American Red Cross; as well as students from the Washougal High School Drama Department filling in as the victims.