Report describes regional response to 'Double Trouble'

Southborough - More than 80 officials from the six towns of Southborough, Northborough, Marlborough, Westborough, Ashland and Hopkinton and several public, state and private agencies gathered at the Southborough Senior Center June 24 to test Southborough's plans to respond to a dangerous situation in the town's schools and a hazardous materials spill within the town's borders.

According to a recently released report about it, the operation was called "Double Trouble" and the scenario was a nightmare: an accident on Route 9 at the Volvo Dealership west of Parkerville Road resulted in a gasoline tanker flipped on its side and leaking gasoline. The SUV that caused the accident fled the scene and caused another accident at the split of Flagg Road and Deerfoot Road. Two armed men ran from the car into the woods toward Trottier Middle School.

For four hours, officials responded as though the incident were real. They used Southborough's emergency plans for a lockdown of the Trottier Middle School, for requesting help from area towns, and for dealing with a hazardous materials incident. They closed roads and diverted traffic , transported accident victims, dispatched a SWAT team, worked to contain the leaking gasoline and apprehended the suspects.

"The purpose of the exercise was to test and evaluate the response of Southborough's public safety and school plans," Southborough Fire Chief John Mauro said. "The exercise also allowed surrounding communities to test their own plans. The scenario was extreme, but if we're going to be prepared to respond to all incidents, small and large, and keep our residents safe, we needed something this big to help us identify our strengths as well as where we need improvement."

Working through the incident was only the beginning. After its conclusion, a detailed analysis was generated and delivered. According to the analysis, the exercise's objectives were met, and at its conclusion, public safety, school safety, victim care, criminal apprehension and communication among the responders and to the community were all addressed in a satisfactory manner.

Improvements were defined, such as creating maps of all schools with elevations to include numbered windows and doors; training for volunteers to assist with dispatch duties; and purchasing vests that clearly identify responders' community and agency.

"When an incident of this magnitude occurs, resources from many communities are required to stabilize and reduce the loss," Westborough LEPC Chair and Fire Lt. Bob Rand said. "Therefore, this was an excellent opportunity for several communities to train in this manner."

The exercise was funded through a grant Southborough received from the Central Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council in coordination with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The exercise was developed and facilitated by Quabbin Healthcare Consulting Inc., in Petersham.