Augusta's emergency responders remained involved with the Graniteville train disaster, even as more than a week passed since the initial incident.
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The Augusta-Richmond County Emergency Management Agency's chief was stationed at the disaster's command center, helping to coordinate the numerous police, fire and other emergency personnel.
"This has really been a major undertaking," Chief Howard Willis said.
Special Operations Chief Ron Shirey - who will retire from the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department at the end of this month - said his hazardous materials team, along with Fort Gordon and Savannah River Site teams, assisted at the site.
"We've responded to a lot of incidents, like the ammonia leak we had, and train derailments, but nothing of this magnitude," Chief Shirey said.
Some Richmond County sheriff's deputies remained at the disposal of Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt, Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength said.
"Right out of the chute, we sent some of the Crime Suppression Team over there," Sheriff Strength said.
He also said the county's mobile command post, which allows emergency officials to coordinate disaster response, was at the Aiken County command site, staffed around the clock.
Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Gay, head of the Crime Suppression Team, said the van was brought back home to Richmond County on Friday morning.
Lt. Michael Frank, spokesman for the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, said his agency has appreciated the assistance.
"It's been tremendous," he said.
"The list is long, and it really covers the full public safety spectrum. It's amazing."
Richmond County sheriff's deputies who worked beyond their normal work hours do not receive overtime pay; instead, they will receive compensatory time they can take later.
The fire department's policy is different; those working overtime in the department receive overtime pay, said Fred Russell, Augusta's administrator.
Officials haven't determined yet who's going to pay for the expenses Richmond County incurred in its assistance of Aiken County, he said.
"We obviously haven't worked out the details yet," Mr. Russell said. "I'm sure that at some point, Norfolk Southern will be responsible for the costs incurred. They come to the plate with things like this."
But in an emergency, the cost of manpower becomes secondary, he said.
And, Mr. Russell said, responding to the disaster has provided valuable real-world experience to Augusta's emergency responders should such a disaster ever happen west of the Savannah River.
And even though Augusta has some of the largest emergency agencies in the area, the favor paid to Aiken County might need to be returned in the future.
"Even as large as we are," Sheriff Strength said, "if we have the same scenario here, without a doubt, we would have to call in for assistance."
Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.
OUTSIDE HELP
The following are some of the local governments that sent law enforcement, hazardous materials teams, or other emergency service responders to help in the Graniteville disaster:
GEORGIA
Counties: Columbia, Richmond
SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTIES: Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick, Orangeburg, Richland
CITIES: New Ellenton, Cayce, Columbia, West Columbia, Burnettown, North Augusta, Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Charleston, Johnston, Orangeburg, Lexington
SCHOOLS: University of South Carolina Aiken Police Department
Source: Lt. Michael Frank, Aiken County Sheriff's Office
Special Section: Graniteville Train Wreck
On January 6, 2005, a Norfolk Southern Corp. freight train carrying chemicals hit a parked train near an Avondale Mills plant in Graniteville, South Carolina. The impact caused poisonous chlorine gas to leak from three of the moving train's cars. Nine people were killed and more than 5,000 people were evacuated from the site.
For complete coverage of the Graniteville train wreck, visit our special section.
