THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Less than a week after a diesel spill prompted a school evacuation, emergency management crews are working to figure out how to better respond to those types of situations.
Environmental officials estimate close to 2,000 gallons of diesel was spilled into a retention pond behind the Murphy's USA gas station off Highway 319.
Murphy USA will be reimbursing the county for that expense since it occurred on their property but starting their own investigation into how the diesel was spilled and who did it.
More than 700 students had to be evacuated from Garrison-Pilcher Elementary.
EMA officials say next time in a situation like this they would need to notify the hospital, and make sure they are using social media quicker to put out factual information to the public.
"Because we work so well together on planning for storms and other events," said Chris Jones, EMA Director. "When you have an incident like this it really helps us to work through those key components and key milestones we need to achieve because we already know each other on a first name basis."
EMA Officials are applauding the quick work of the school system.
Within 20 minutes, 14 bus drivers were called in and evacuated students off the elementary school campus.
EMA Officials say there is a lot that goes into restoration after a spill like this.
Crews are still working on Hall Road, they're replacing the soil where the diesel was spilled.
THOMAS CO., GA (WALB) - A diesel spill near Hall Road and Highway 319 prompted an evacuation at a Thomas County elementary school Thursday morning.
School officials said that the students at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary were moved to the Thomas County Central High School gym to be released to their parents.
"From the time we notified the bus drivers we had all the students gone. It was really a good test for our evacuation procedures," said Scott James, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Thomas County Schools. "It was important but not critical, certainly a good test."
The call came in just after 9 a.m., and the evacuation took about 20-25 minutes.
The spill was not on campus, but there is diesel in the ditches near the school. Students were evacuated as a safety precaution.
Fire officials say it appears that diesel was dumped in a ditch on Hall Road.
From there it spread under the road and drained into a nearby creek.
Public works crews will be on the scene through the day to keep the diesel from spreading.
Officials say they aren't sure yet how it got into the ditch, but it has already begun soaking into the ground.
Environmental experts will have to be called in to get the area cleaned and replace the soil.
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