HOULTON — The Maine Emergency Management Agency, Aroostook Emergency Management Agency and New Brunswick Southern Railway conducted a technological hazmat release exercise involving a rail car on Friday and Saturday.
Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna said police and emergency responders were acting out a scenario in which chemicals had spilled inside a rail car in an apparent terrorist plot to disrupt rail service.
Police, fire, Maine National Guard, U.S. Border Patrol and other first responders from Orono to Madawaska took part in the training.
“All of these agencies go back to their hometowns and practice these skills on their own,” said McKenna. “They know how to respond to hazmat incidents on their own in their communities and things. But it is important to get together and practice and have a layering system so if these events ever do happen, the response is just instant. We all know who does what.”