Oct. 5--Despite the best safety efforts, construction sites can be dangerous places for workers. At the Longview Power Plant construction site, workers and emergency responders took time to practice dealing with a workplace disaster with an emergency drill Sunday afternoon.

Jeremy Walls, regional safety manager for Aker Construction, the prime contractor on the project, said Sunday's drill gave the members of his company's safety team a chance to practice much-needed skills.

"We set up a scenario that was specific to construction site hazards," he said. "We have everything from two simulated workers trapped in safety harnesses hanging in midair to a victim trapped in a confined space inside one of the buildings."

In addition to the first responders from Aker Construction, volunteer firefighters from Granville, Star City and Westover fire departments were on scene for the drill.

Emergency medical response was provided by ambulances from Monongalia EMS, Fayette County, Pa., EMS and the Health-Net helicopter.

Police units from Granville, Star City, the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department and W.Va. State Police were also present.

The drill got under way with a simulated explosion provided by Lt. Al Hawkins of the Mon County Sheriff's Department, who tossed two "flash-bang" grenades to recreate a real explosion. According to Mike Wolfe, deputy director of the Mon Office of Emergency Management, the last of the simulated victims was placed in an ambulance for transport 44 minutes later.

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