May is ready to read and this month, we have a special EYE ON CLASS OF 2012 that is also ready to peruse…We will be delivering all of the magazines Thursday and Friday (the 3rd and 4th). Thanks and Happy may!

A full-scale, counter-terrorism emergency response exercise was successfully completed near Hot Springs today. Emergency plans and agency response for some 20 local, county, state and federal agencies were tested during this series of events kicked off by a boat fire, an active shooter situation and a simulated explosion at Carpenter Dam. Other smaller emergencies were called in to dispatch involving strategic sites on or near lakes Ouachita, Hamilton, and Catherine, as well as the Ouachita River, throughout the morning, from 9 a.m. until noon.

The Hot Springs Fire Department and Hot Springs Police Department oversaw the exercise today as a Unified Incident Command team. This exercise was unique because it not only tested the emergency response plans of so many agencies, it also brought organizations and teams together to react as a unit with a joint strategy. Incident Commanders for the event – Bill Bradbury with the Hot Springs Fire Department and Chris Chapmond with Hot Springs Police Department – both agreed during the afternoon’s de-briefing that today was a successful, extremely beneficial training scenario.

All scheduled events were designed to be as realistic as possible. The list below describes how each simulated emergency was dispatched through Garland and Hot Spring County:

At 9:00 a.m., a boat was discovered in flames at the Carpenter Dam Trailrace area.

Later at 9:45 a.m., armed intruders were reported at Carpenter Dam. Simulated gunfire and possible victims were described.

Around 10:00 a.m., an explosion was simulated above Carpenter Dam that was supposed to have blown out four flood gates – thereby inundating the area with flood water.

By 10:15 a.m., mock Red Cross Evacuation Shelters had been opened, as had a Code Red Alert been declared for the Entergy Park and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake areas. A live Emergency Operating Center was also set up in downtown Hot Springs where information officers and other logistical support would actually assemble during a live event.

Nearing 10:30, Swift Water Rescue Teams in the Lake Ouachita area at Malvern were contacted to help rescue individuals washed down-river. The rescue was a coordinated effort by Swift Water Crews from Van Buren County, the Hot Springs Fire Department, and Malvern Fire Department.

Finally, at 11:00, teams of Hot Springs Police personnel were dispatched to not only Carpenter Dam, but to Blakely Dam as well, to secure the areas. A mock Red Cross Center was set up at the Garland County Fairgrounds to provide shelter, food, and water to victims.

By noon, Entergy Park personnel held a mock-press briefing similar to that conducted in an actual emergency that would have allowed communication about the explosion, active-shooter situation, victim update, and all other details pertinent to the public’s safety.

Participating agencies and organizations that either volunteered, responded to simulated emergencies, helped with planning or logistics of the exercise, or provided support in any way include: Entergy Arkansas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hot Spring County Emergency Management, Garland County Emergency Management, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Hot Springs Fire Department, Lake Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, Malvern Fire Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff’s Department, Garland County Police Department, Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Red Cross, Diamondhead Police Department, LifeNet Ambulance, St. Joseph Hospital, Van Buren County Swift Water Rescue, Arkansas Fire Boat Committee, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Lake Catherine State Park, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, Emergency Managers from more than 15 surrounding counties assisted as controllers and evaluators.

The day was one of excitement, challenge, and constant movement in the Entergy Park and Carpenter Dam Area. Most importantly, the people responsible for protecting Garland and Hot Spring Counties had a chance to practice together – with the help of several other surrounding counties and agencies – so that when seconds count, everyone is ready to work as a team.  Contact: Adriane Harrell, 1-501-813-2554 adriane.harrell@arkansas.gov      

April 16th, 2012, Batesville, AR –The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the schedule of events for the 2nd Annual Batesville, Bikes & Backroads. The motorcycle rally will be held June 8th & 9th at Riverside Park. The event welcomes all motorcyclists from across the state to participate in variety of activities including a  Biker Babe Pageant, Bike Parade, Bug Run, Poker Run, Bike Games, Horseshoe Tournament, Hot Wing Eating Contest, Bike Show and live entertainment.

 Friday Schedule

·         6:00 pm Registration and Live Entertainment at Riverside Park

·         6:30pm Biker Babe Pageant

·         8:30-9:30pm Bug Run

·         10:00pm Closing

 Saturday Schedule:

·         8:00am Registration

·         9:00am Bike Parade

·         10:00am Poker Run

·         1:00pm Horse Shoe Tournament

·         3:00-5:00pm Bike Games

·         5:00-6:00pm Bike Show

·         6:00-10:00pm Live Entertainment, Hot Wing Eating Contest during intermission

 We encourage area businesses to welcome our guests by adding “Welcome Bikers” on marquees. We also encourage Chamber members to offer discounts to participants. If you are interested in offering a discount please contact Tami Meyer at 870-793-2378.

Visit www.mybatesville.org for preregistration and a listing of discounts available at participating area businesses.