The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) conducted its annual community-wide exercise in Madison and surrounding counties on Wednesday.

The exercises were conducted as a joint venture between the U.S. Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help local governments plan and prepare for emergencies involving chemical weapons storage sites such as Blue Grass Army Depot.

Participants included the depot, Blue Grass Chemical Activity, the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency, Madison County Emergency Management Agency, various police and fire units, the Madison County schools, and Baptist Health Richmond (formerly Pattie A. Clay Hospital).