First responders test their mettle with simulated disaster at Perry Co. Jail
A Perry County Jail evacuation exercise was held Wednesday just after 9 a.m.
Emergency personnel from across the county worked through a scenario that involves a severe storm/tornado which damaged the Cunningham Insurance building and the neighboring Perry County Jail. Inmates and staff at the jail were injured.
All of the injured "inmates" were volunteers.
The exercise tested the written disaster plans of Perry County Emergency Services, medics from the Pinckneyville Ambulance Service, law enforcement and the medical staffs at Pinckneyville Community Hospital and Marshall Browning Hospital.
The key to the exercise was the security and evacuation protocols implemented by the Perry County Sheriff's Office and Jail.
Both hospitals tested their surge capacity. The large number of injured were more than one hospital could handle. Overflow was taken from Pinckneyville Hospital to Marshall Browning.
In the days following the execution of this drill, all agencies will review how they performed, their successes and any protocols that might be amended.
The agencies participating or assisting in conducting the exercise include: Perry County Sheriff's Office, Perry County Emergency Management Agency, Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Marshall Browning Hospital,  Pinckneyville Ambulance Service, Pinckneyville Police Department, Du Quoin Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, Du Quoin Fire Department, Du Quoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Fire Department, Perry County Health Department, Perry County Solid Waste Management Office, Washington County Ambulance Service, Jackson County Ambulance Service, Williamson County EMA, Jackson County EMA, Randolph County EMA, Jefferson County EMA, City of Carbondale Fire Department-Emergency Management Division, American Red Cross- Little Egypt, Saline County EMA, Randolph County Health Department, Jackson County Health Department, memorial Hospital of Carbondale- Regional Hospital Coordinating Center, Herrin Hospital, Heartland Regional Hospital, Perry County Gold Plate and Illinois EMA