Lenawee County Emergency Management, in partnership with Norfolk Southern and local emergency response agencies, will conduct a large-scale hazardous materials training exercise in Blissfield on Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Training activities will take place throughout the day and extend into the evening hours along the Adrian & Blissfield Rail Road near the Blissfield Fire Department and Blissfield Dinner Train, 299 E. Adrian St
Residents and those traveling through the area should be aware that this is a planned training exercise and not an actual emergency
The exercise will give emergency responders an opportunity to practice their response to rail-related hazardous materials incidents using realistic scenarios and hands-on training. Activities will include simulated hazardous material releases involving rail tank cars
Residents may notice an increased presence of fire, law enforcement and other emergency response vehicles and personnel in the area throughout the day. Training scenarios may also involve responders wearing specialized protective equipment and conducting activities on and around railcars
Normal traffic in the area is expected, and the exercise is not anticipated to impede regular traffic flow
Training will take place in two sessions, from noon to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 10 p.m. Different hazardous materials scenarios will be conducted during each session, allowing responders to practice everything from incident command and hazard assessment to leak control and air monitoring
Exercises like this allow emergency responders to practice working together before those skills are needed during a real incident. By training with actual rail equipment and realistic scenarios, participating agencies can strengthen coordination, test response procedures and build familiarity with the unique challenges associated with rail emergencies
Lenawee County Emergency Management appreciates the cooperation and understanding of Blissfield residents and businesses while responders participate in this important preparedness exercise
