Alyssa Ridenour
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Paula Carroll, director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management, a division of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, received the Thomas Yatabe Certificate of Outstanding Achievement on Saturday, April 17. Carroll was nominated for the award by Leon County Emergency Management Chair Kevin Peters for her outstanding achievement and her contributions and support to the community.
The award is given by the State Emergency Response Commission for Hazardous Materials in “recognition of an outstanding achievement, accomplishment or superior participation in the hazardous materials planning program by an individual, agency or organization.” Jefferson County Sheriff Mac McNeill presented the certificate to her in a brief ceremony, with elected officials in attendance.
One of Carroll's most notable achievements is her creation and implementation of the rolling meth lab exercise, which gives state officials and first responders the opportunity to train on how to properly handle a situation in which they have discovered a toxic substance, such as methamphetamine. The exercise simulates the discovery of a mobile meth lab, called a “clandestine lab tabletop,” in routine traffic accidents and traffic stops, allowing participants to practice on handling the situation, as well as how to properly decontaminate.
The entire simulation consists of a four-hour routine and has been adopted by agencies across the State of Florida. The goal is to spread this training to all 67 counties in the state to provide education and practice for first responders and state officials.
“It helps the community by giving all the participants valuable experience in handling hazardous substances while working in a safe environment where they can ask questions,” said Anthony Carpanini, who backed Peters' decision to nominate Carroll. “It gives the opportunity for different agencies to work together in cross training. The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for first responders and officials.”
Carroll began working for Emergency Management Services in 2016, and in 2019, she became the Jefferson County Director of Emergency Management.
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