Goshen. Orange County receives perfect score on important federally evaluated Indian Point exercise

Orange County passed the full-scale Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercise with a perfect score, County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus announced.

The day-long drill featured about 75 participants and was conducted on Nov. 17 at the county’s Emergency Services Center in Goshen. The drill tested the county’s emergency preparedness plan in the event of a disaster at the Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) in Westchester County.

“Orange County residents who live in the Indian Point Emergency Protection Zone can rest assured that a well-prepared and knowledgeable team is in place to protect them should any critical incidents involving the facility ever take place,” Neuhaus said. “Drills such as these also help our Emergency Services team identify measures that can keep the public safe during natural disasters such as hurricanes and severe winter storms.”

FEMA evaluators observed Orange County’s exercise along with drills in three additional counties within the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Emergency Planning Zone: Rockland, Putnam, and Westchester. The purpose of the Indian Point exercise was to demonstrate and assess the level of State and local preparedness in responding to a radiological emergency.

The exercise was held in accordance with FEMA’s policies and guidance concerning the exercise of State and local radiological emergency response plans (RERP) and procedures.

“It’s important that Orange County residents know that the challenges we faced during this drill were the same we would encounter in a real-world emergency,” Neuhaus said. “I’m proud of everyone’s efforts. Orange County will remain vigilant when it comes to keeping our residents safe.”