AFTERNOON UPDATE |
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — North Star School District officials are providing another update on the ongoing carbon monoxide testing at the high school following Thursday's incident that left dozens of students feeling ill.
Officials say the EPA has conducted additional testing overnight and throughout the day Friday.
To date, all air quality readings have been negative for any chemical or environmental conditions of concern inside the building.Investigators say that despite the negative readings, the school is planning to install additional carbon monoxide detectors within the building before students return to class on Monday.
Officials say authorities are continuing to await the results of the air quality testing, as well as the medical testing that students received at UPMC Somerset.
School officials say the students also reportedly received a drug screening as part of the medical testing.
Additional sampling will occur throughout the day. If elevated levels are detected in the interim, additional notifications will be made.Investigators say a cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
PRESS CONFERENCE |
During a press conference Friday morning, officials with the North Star school district, as well as local emergency authorities, provided a timeline of Thursday's incident at the high school that reportedly left dozens of students ill.
School officials say the incident began Thursday morning when a few students reported feeling ill during a training exercise that was being conducted by local EMS companies.
Initially, six students were transported to UPMC Somerset and were treated for what is believed to be symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
School officials say later in the day, some North Star students at the local Vo Tech began reporting similar symptoms and were transported to UPMC as well.
Since then, officials say a total of 41 patients have been treated at UPMC Somerset, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Investigators say they are awaiting testing results from the hospital to confirm the symptoms that the students reported.
Authorities add that since Thursday morning, local, state and federal officials have conducted numerous carbon monoxide tests at the school, with negative results.
Officials say the EPA was also called in to conduct further air quality testing overnight.
When asked if the school considered evacuating the building on Thursday, school officials said that the idea was considered, however, according to the "feedback" they had received and the testing that was done, the building appeared to be safe.
School officials say they are also awaiting further testing from the EPA to confirm that the building is safe for both students and staff to return.
Investigators also noted that as of Friday morning, no teachers, staff members or emergency personnel reported any symptoms.
The school district also added that a cause has not yet been determined and once they receive the results of air quality testing and the medical results, they would consider contacting law enforcement for further investigation.
You can view Friday's full press conference in the video below:
MORNING UPDATE |
A spokesperson with UPMC says that as of 8:15 a.m. Friday, a total of 41 patients were treated at UPMC Somerset following Thursday's incident at North Star High School.
School officials say multiple students reported feeling ill as local EMS crews were at the school to conduct a training exercise with the student body.
"The Boswell and Stoystown Fire Companies, Somerset EMS, and Somerset County Department of Emergency Services responded and began an investigation into the potential cause. Soon thereafter, additional federal and state partners were requested for support," the school said.
Authorities say the students were then treated for symptoms of what is believed to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
School officials say that since Thursday morning, fire crews and EMS officials have conducted several carbon monoxide tests at the school, with negative results.
The EPA was called in to assist and conducted additional testing overnight.
As of 10:30 PM, all further air quality sampling and investigation results have been negative. Responding agencies continue to investigate the building using specialized equipment looking for a potential cause for the illnesses.Officials note that none of the teachers or staff have reported any similar symptoms.
THE LATEST |
North Star school district officials say the high school will operate under a flexible instruction day on Friday as authorities with the EPA conduct air quality testing at the building overnight following an incident that reportedly sent dozens of students to the hospital for evaluation.
North Star Superintendent Louis Lepley says the incident began when several students reported feeling ill while local EMS crews were on scene to conduct a training exercise with the student body.
Local officials say six students were initially treated at UPMC Somerset for what is believed to be the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A UPMC spokesperson says that, as of Thursday afternoon, over 30 patients were treated at the hospital for similar symptoms.
Emergency officials say multiple fire departments, as well as the county EMA director, conducted several CO/CO2 tests at the school, with negative results.
A PEMA spokesperson says that Somerset County contacted their agency earlier Thursday about the incident at the school but notes that officials have not requested any other state assistance.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
2nd UPDATE |
A spokesperson for UPMC says dozens of patients have been treated following an alleged incident at North Star High School Thursday morning.
As of 3:35 p.m., UPMC Somerset has received 32 patients related to the reported incident at North Star High School. 25 continue to receive treatment and 7 were treated and released.North Star school officials say they have contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other safety officials, who are planning to conduct additional air quality tests after hours.
North Star Superintendent Louis Lepley says the incident began when several students reported feeling ill while local EMS crews were on scene to conduct a training exercise with the student body.
Emergency officials say multiple fire departments, as well as the county EMA director, conducted several CO/CO2 tests at the school, with negative results.
Boswell Vol. Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Michael Sopich says crews conducted tests, throughout the school's building, using five different meters to detect for CO/CO2.
He noted that they conducted tests with the heating system both on and off.
Officials also noted that no teachers or staff members have reported any similar symptoms.
6 News also reached out to officials with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
A PEMA spokesperson says that Somerset County contacted their agency earlier Thursday about the incident at the school but notes that officials have not requested any state assistance.
For clarification, PEMA did not order an evacuation of the school as we do not have the authority to do so, and any questions about the response to this incident should be directed to school officials and/or Somerset County Emergency Management.Emergency officials are continuing to investigate the incident.
UPDATE |
In a message sent to the district, North Star school officials say they have contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other safety officials following an incident Thursday morning at the high school.
John Jordan, the director of the Somerset Area Ambulance Association, confirmed earlier that six students were treated for what was described as "elevated levels of carbon monoxide."
School officials say the EPA will conduct additional air quality tests Thursday evening to "ensure student safety."
According to our crews on scene, EMS officials were also called to the Somerset Vo Tech, although authorities have not yet confirmed whether any additional students were transported or treated.
North Star Superintendent Louis Lepley says the incident began when several students reported feeling ill while local EMS crews were on scene to conduct a training exercise with the student body.
Emergency officials say multiple fire departments, as well as the county EMA director, conducted several CO/CO2 tests at the school, with negative results.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the incident.
Stay with us online and on-air for further updates.
ORIGINAL |
An emergency official in Somerset County say six North Star students were reportedly treated Thursday for slightly elevated levels of carbon monoxide following an alleged incident at the high school.
According to John Jordan, the director of the Somerset Area Ambulance Association, the students were reportedly transported to UPMC Somerset for evaluation.
In a message sent to parents, school officials say the students reportedly became ill during a training exercise at the high school.
School officials say the air quality of the building was checked and no gas leak or CO/CO2 issues were detected.
North Star Superintendent Louis Lepley says the "Stop the Bleed" training exercise was conducted by crews from Stoystown and Somerset EMS.
Emergency officials are continuing to investigate the incident.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfpLOntcKimKWrXWt6r7vRrZ9mq6SWv26%2F066bnqakqHq1vsSaq56cXai5qrPHraOyZZWhsret056bZqSVq7Ktv4ycmKuan6N6rrvNqK%2BinJVitq%2BvyJ2cp6xdqLyusdGsnK1lmaPDpr%2FTop6arJmku26FkGpknqWjYrCwfoytqZqhnp67qHnEsZyrm5mosm6%2FwqGmqKRdpbKvutKyo6%2BZnp6u