The test was meant to practice response procedures and communication between township officials, workers and evacuees.
HAMILTON -- This is just a test.
If this had been an actual emergency, township residents would have been notified by a bright flash of light, sheets of flames and trembling earth.
Police, firefighters and other first responders were at the scene of a pipeline explosion response drill Wednesday morning conducted by PSE&G. It took place on Lamont Street in Hamilton.
The test was meant to practice response procedures and communication between township officials, PSE&G workers and simulated evacuees.
What started as a simulated leak when an imaginary contractor hit a gas line, became a simulated explosion in an Hamilton apartment complex. Observers watched as responders reacted to the drill.
PSE&G vice president of gas operations, Joseph Forline, says that this is the company's eighth of 10 planned drills in the state and that this is the second year that PSE&G has been conducting the "real-world drills."
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Forline says his initial impression was that the response was well done, citing good lines of communication and the establishment of a mobile command center a safe and effective distance away from the site of the simulated explosion.
Company officials say that one study shows 40 percent of natural gas line damages involve pipes that are cut by mostly-avoidable errors -- usually as a result of work performed by contractors, construction workers or residents.
Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede was on hand to observe the response by township officials. She said the drill was 'vitally important' to the safety of the residents and that PSE&G and city officials had an outstanding working relationship.
Yaede said she will withhold her assessment of the drill until after debriefing and analysis.
"This is our first training exercise -- it would be premature to comment at this time," she said. "We will ascertain what went well and what needs adjustment."
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.