First responders train for emergencies at Pueblo school

A drill was held in Pueblo on Wednesday to allow first responders to practice in case of a chemical emergency.

Decontamination happened around 9:30 a.m. at the Liberty International School as part of a drill that took place all day long to ensure first responders were prepared in case a disaster happens.

“It was a science experiment chemical spill where we mix two chemicals together and there will be a gas situation,” said principal Chris Slobodnik.

The mock situation prompted evacuations and fast action from the multiple teams working the drill. They were all being evaluated by federal agencies.

Once the fire teams determined what had happened that the school, they rushed into action.

“The principal informed us that they had 15 students in a science classroom that was reporting that a chemical kind of exploded in their face and they were having respiratory problems,” Pueblo West Fire Chief Brad Davidson said in reference to the drill.

Davidson said he wished they had had more resources, but he added that you really can’t fully prepare for something like this to happen in real life.