The parking lots at Conard High School will be inaccessible during on Friday, April 14, while an emergency drill is being conducted.

By Ronni Newton

Town officials have advised that the West Hartford Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management will be conducting a training drill on Friday, April 14, 2023, at Conard High School.

West Hartford has taken over for East Hartford as a host community for residents of Montville and Waterford if they ever are forced to evacuate due to an incident at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. Conard High School serves as West Hartord’s emergency shelter.

Bob McCue, program specialist in the Office of Emergency Management, said there will be a heavy presence of police and fire department personnel at Conard during the drill, which will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The parking lots will not be accessible to the public during that time.

“Participants in the drill will scan evacuees and their vehicles for hazardous materials and then provide assistance, counseling, and placement services, if needed,” Town Manager Rick Ledwith said during Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

“The practice/training drill as a Host Community Reception Center is in preparation of the FEMA-evaluated drill in May,” Ledwith said. “Friday’s drill involves about 150 staff, volunteers and role players from seven town departments and eight outside agencies including FEMA, State Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, American Red Cross, Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, and Dominion Energy.”

West Hartford Public Schools have spring break this week, and educational programming will not be impacted.

More information about the Host Community Program can be found on the state’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security website.

Questions about the training exercises can be directed to the Office of Emergency Management at [email protected].

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