Press Release
BOOM! Some of you might have heard a few loud explosions around 8:30 on Tuesday morning. Be assured that all is well. The Utah County Bomb Squad, PacifiCorp Hunter Power Plant and ECSO were conducting an evacuation exercise at the Hunter Plant.
The exercise was the culmination of two years of planning including prior exercises and drills at the plant. Hunter Plant Manager Laren Huntsman wanted to test plant evacuation, feeling that plant personnel were getting complacent in emergency procedures.
The Bomb Squad, led by Sgt. Peter Quittner, was in charge of all explosives and their safe and effective detonation. The exercise was coordinated by Captain Kyle Ekker, ECSO and members of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) participated and secured the perimeter. A debriefing was held where all shared their observations, lessons learned and plans for improvement.
ECSO extends thanks to PacifiCorp and the Utah County Bomb Squad for their participation in this training, which is a vital part of preparing for actual emergencies and disasters.
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- Photos courtesy of the Emery County Sheriff’s Office
