Mass fatality exercise planned Friday in Dayton

State and local emergency response agencies will conduct a mass-fatality exercise Friday similar to this mock crash exercise last month at Fairfield High School. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

State and local emergency response agencies will conduct a mass-fatality exercise Friday similar to this mock crash exercise last month at Fairfield High School. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

State and local emergency response agencies, hospitals and health departments will convene Friday in the Dayton area for full-scale mass-fatality exercise from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at various locations, the Ohio Department of Health announced.

Events throughout the exercise will utilize local emergency and public health responders and require the activation of local and state mass fatality and mortuary assistance resources.

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Participants will include the state health department, the Ohio National Guard, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton Montgomery County Public Health, Miami Valley Hospital and several other local and state response agencies.

“This is the first time we are doing this type of drill,” said Melanie Amato, a spokeswoman for the state health department. “We think it’s necessary just in case we have any kind of public health emergency so federal, state and local agencies know who plays what role, so we can work together to make sure Ohioans are safe.”

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Police and other emergency personnel and equipment be be active around the training areas throughout the day Friday, but the training is not expected to result in traffic disruptions for motorists in the area, Amato said.

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