First responders and local officials participated in a tabletop exercise Thursday based on a scenario involving a simulated incident at 1806 Adventures ATV Park which will be opening November 29.
The recently organized ATV park consists of about 8,000 acres of remote southern Lewis County property near the Rowan and Carter county borders containing several miles of trails with varying challenges.
Jonathan Ruggles, who serves as the park’s director of operations, said the opening of the park will coincide with an annual event that has become known as the Turkey Run with the park encompassing many of those trails and several others.
Ruggles says entrances and parking for the property will be off Briary Creek Road (off KY 377) and Straight Fork Road (off KY 59). Permits range from a $30 two-day admission pass to a $150 one-year admission pass. Lewis County residents may purchase the annual permit for $100 through the park’s website, www.1806adventures.com.
The discussion-based exercise, held on the third floor of the Lewis County Courthouse, consisted of a scenario involving a simulated incident in which two individuals were injured and in a remote section of the property.
Emergency Management Director Dennis Brown guided participants through the discussion in which first-responders talked about their roles and responses to the situation as it unfolded.
Participants included dispatchers, ambulance personnel, fire and rescue personnel, air ambulance personnel, sheriff’s deputies, local officials, visiting emergency management officials, and representatives with 1806 Adventures.
Ruggles gave an overview of the park and answered questions from participants to familiarize them with the park’s safety response plan.
Many of the attending first-responders were already familiar with the area through earlier response to incidents or from previously riding trails in the area.
Local officials had earlier met with park representatives to discuss an emergency response plan being developed by the county as well as the plan being developed by park officials.
Local officials also visited the park to identify potential landing zones and how emergency responders might navigate the area under various conditions.
The officials also discussed communications details with park officials as well as plans for mutual assistance should first-responders be summoned to the park in the event of an emergency.
Members of the Ambulance Tax Service District Board discussed the opening of the ATV park during a regular meeting of the board on Wednesday.
Members approved implementing a fee schedule for businesses requesting an ambulance to be staged at, or dedicated to, specific events.
Ambulance Board Chair Danny Palmer emphasized that ambulances and personnel for such events would be put into service in addition to the normal staffing of the local service.
“Response for our citizens will remain unchanged and the costs of providing the additional services for such events will not be at the expense of taxpayers but will be covered by fees charged based on the agreement with event organizers,” Palmer stated.
Palmer said such an agreement has been discussed with park organizers but details have not finalized concerning any special coverage that may be provided.
Ruggles said safety is a priority and expressed his appreciation to first-responders and local officials for their efforts in developing a plan.
He said he is working to have trails in the park marked by signage as well as appearing on an interactive app that would be available to permit holders.
Ruggles said he urges permit holders not to venture outside of the park’s boundaries and to respect adjacent property owners.
He added that although past Turkey Run participants have utilized rights-of-way for gas lines running through the property, they are not marked as trails in the park and says travel is limited to marked trails.
Ruggles said release forms must be signed by all persons utilizing the park’s trail system.
Rules and regulations of the park are posted on their website and permits may also be purchased through the site.
“We want the participants to enjoy the park and the great scenery here in Lewis County,” Ruggles said. “We also want everyone to respect the rules and, most importantly, to exercise caution and be safe.”
Subscribe
