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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Practice Drills Improve Emergency Response Capabilities

Published: June 10, 2015 | Category: PCAPP News, Safety
Emergency managers and planners update the state field manager in the Pueblo County Emergency Operations Center.

Emergency managers and planners update the state field manager in the Pueblo County Emergency Operations Center.

Firefighters practice extracting someone from a vehicle after a mock crash during the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Exercise in May 2015.

Firefighters practice extracting someone from a vehicle after a mock crash during the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Exercise in May 2015.

Each year in May approximately 600 individuals gather to make Pueblo, Colorado, a safer place.

Representatives from federal, state and local fire, police, sheriff and public safety departments, dispatch, medical response, hospitals, and even elementary school children participated in two exercise scenarios during the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) exercise.

“Each of the response agencies serve a role and the exercise gives them a chance to practice for a real life event,” said Carl Ballinger, local CSEPP coordinator. The multiple exercise scenarios take almost a year to plan, he said.

The first scenario involved a simulated chemical incident at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, and the second was a non-related emergency within Pueblo County requiring the activation of various Emergency Operations Centers, the Pueblo Community Joint Information Center (JIC) and decontamination and treatment facilities.

“Community volunteers are a valuable asset to the JIC and the exercise because they are trained volunteers who can assist with critical tasks during disasters,” said Laurie Kilpatrick, CSEPP public information officer.

“Many volunteers found the experience not only rewarding, but also informative,” Kilpatrick said. “One volunteer described the exercise as ‘interesting and educational’ and another stated that the event was ‘a huge learning experience.’”

The program’s mission is to enhance the ability to protect the health and safety of the public, workforce and environment from the effects of a chemical accident or incident involving the U.S. Army chemical weapons stockpile. The depot, located east of Pueblo, stores 2,611 tons of mustard agent contained within mortars and projectiles.

CSEPP provides local response agencies with radios, decontamination trailers and tents, and other necessary items needed to respond in the unlikely event of a chemical emergency. Ballinger said the first exercise was held in 1992 and has since expanded to include behavioral health and animal services.

“We are ahead of other communities when it comes to emergency response because we have the opportunity to practice,” Ballinger said.

More PCAPP Safety Articles

  • The Improved Cavity Access Machine was proposed to safely destroy 4.2-inch mortar rounds in the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant automated process. Based on existing Cavity Access Machine technology, the ICAM uses a vacuum-powered probe to remove agent.

    Improved Equipment Could Accelerate Destruction at Pueblo Plant

    Published: July 5, 2022
  • After a chemical weapon is drained of agent and rinsed with high-pressure hot water, Agent Washwater Separator tanks collect fluid before sending it to Agent Neutralization Reactors to destroy the mustard agent. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant has two tanks, providing the plant with redundancy when neutralizing agent.

    Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    Published: March 28, 2022
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant maintenance technician dons and escape breathing apparatus during backup rescue training exercises in 2020.

    Pueblo Plant Safety Rates Exceed Industry Standard

    Published: August 17, 2021
  • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Entry Support Area tender Ezra Maldonado is outfitted with the Demilitarization Protective Ensemble prior to completion of the 10,000th DPE entry at PCAPP.

    Pueblo Plant Workers Achieve Safety Milestone

    Published: May 12, 2021
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant personal protective equipment technician dons a Powered Air Purifying Respirator hood during a PAPR training session.

    Repurposed Safety Equipment Used for Training

    Published: May 4, 2021
  • Toxic Material Handlers from the Pueblo Chemical Depot load a pallet of munitions onto a Modified Ammunition Vehicle, or MAV.

    Toxic Material Handlers Keep Up with Demand

    Published: April 6, 2021
  • Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    Published: January 20, 2021
  • Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    Published: December 17, 2020
  • Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Published: November 20, 2020
  • Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Published: October 7, 2020
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Related News

  • Responses Tested in ‘Hands-On’ Exercise

    Responses Tested in ‘Hands-On’ Exercise

    May 31, 2022
  • Exercise Tests Emergency Response

    Exercise Tests Emergency Response

    May 25, 2018
  • Emergency Preparedness Training Aids in Fire Response

    Emergency Preparedness Training Aids in Fire Response

    November 3, 2016
  • Safety Focus for Community Center Celebration

    Safety Focus for Community Center Celebration

    August 17, 2016
  • Keeping Fido Safe: Program Stresses Importance of Pet Evacuation Plans

    Keeping Fido Safe: Program Stresses Importance of Pet Evacuation Plans

    September 15, 2015

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)