The Nicholasville Fire Department, along with local EMS, were on-hand at Riney-B Park Wednesday afternoon to particpate in a simulated hazmat test, specifically targeted toward how first responders would react in the case of a serious nerve gas emergency involving the Bluegrass Army Depot, located near Richmond.

Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Baker said they practice these drills several times a year, and every year they are tested on how well they perform those procedures; they are graded by a team of evaluators comprised of people from different places in the U.S.

Team Chief of Evaluators Kendall Perry, with Unified Fire Authority out of Salt Lake City, Utah, said they base their evaluations on how well first-responders handle patients, their abilities to decon effectively, as well as if they are following their own policies and procedures.

“(We) make sure that what they have written in paper, is what they actually do,” Perry said.

Volunteers from the community, or simulated victims, are ran through a series of decon procedures to ensure their safety; they are signed-in, cleaned and then transported via ambulance to the hospital to seek further treatment.

Perry said he evaluated the Nicholasville teams last year and they passed with flying colors.

“These guys are really good,” Perry said. “One of the best I’ve seen.”

All evaluators report to Perry, who reports his evaluations to FEMA, who, in turn, writes a final report that will be sent to local officials describing what they did well, as well as what they should continue to work on.

“We’ve always gotten the highest marks,” Baker said. “We’re very proud of that.”