[HCRA] TOPOFF 3 Details

[Daniel Sullivan]

I hate it when they give too much info in the paper.

Dan S.
KO1D


Connecticut, New Jersey to simulate large-scale terrorist attacks
Associated Press

March 17, 2005
TRENTON, N.J. -- It's only a drill.

When a simulated plague is unleashed by terrorists in central New Jersey and 
faux toxic chemicals are released simultaneously in Connecticut on April 4, 
officials in the Northeast will get an unprecedented, real-life chance to 
test their abilities to respond to a large-scale disaster.

The exercise, expected to be world's largest-ever terrorism-response drill, 
will test the skills and equipment of federal, state and local agencies. The 
mock terrorist attack, designed to strain resources and reveal weaknesses, 
will also test international communication and cooperation when targets in 
Canada and the United Kingdom are concurrently attacked.

"The questions we ask ourselves constantly are 'What works?' and 'What 
doesn't work?"' Attorney General Peter Harvey said. "The only way to answer 
those questions is to exercise the protocols and security procedures on a 
regular basis. The goal here is not to proclaim our greatness, it is rather 
to discover as many faults as we can so we can make modifications prior to 
any natural disaster or terrorist incident."

The five-day drill is the third installment of the Congressionally mandated 
Top Officials training program - called TOPOFF - held every two years. The 
estimated $16 million cost is borne by the federal Homeland Security 
Department, which designs the exercises with help from state and local 
officials.

The "attack" on New Jersey, which has taken two years to plan, will be 
centered in Middlesex and Union counties, selected for their population 
densities and major highways and train systems. The disaster starts when a 
vehicle used to disperse a biological agent is found in New Jersey and 
seriously ill patients start to overwhelm hospitals, federal officials said. 
An attack involving fake chemical weapons is to occur concurrently in New 
London, Conn.

In New Jersey, all 21 counties and 82 hospitals have roles to play, as do 
state police, hazardous materials teams, emergency management personnel, and 
police, fire and emergency first-responders, such as emergency room staff. A 
virtual television news network will help officials test how they would get 
information to the public during a crisis.

Mock attacks two years ago simulated a dirty bomb explosion in Seattle and a 
bioterror attack in Chicago and uncovered communication problems and 
confusion among emergency responders, and shortages in medical supplies and 
hospital rooms.

Next month's drill is expected to involve more than 10,000 health and law 
enforcement officials and thousands of volunteers, who will play victims in 
the field and at hospitals.

Participants are being given few advance details to preserve the integrity 
of the exercise, officials said.

"It's going to unfold the way all emergencies unfold, and we're going to see 
how people react," said Roger Shatzkin, a spokesman for the state's Office 
of Counterterrorism.

Despite the enormity of the drill, Shatzkin said most people are unlikely to 
notice that the exercise is taking place. Brief traffic delays on local 
roads are possible, he said, and if a real emergency were to arise, the 
drill would be halted.

New Jersey asked to be selected for this year's drill, Harvey said, and 
specifically requested that the scenario include a biological hazard. The 
idea is to test the state's medical responses along with law enforcement's 
capabilities.

"The old adage that 'practice makes perfect' applies particularly to 
homeland security," Harvey said.

Gretchen Michael, a spokeswoman for Health and Senior Services, said the 
exercise has already proved to be a valuable planning tool.

"In preparing for TOPOFF and thinking about all the possibilities that could 
happen, we are far better prepared than we were a year ago to deal with a 
public health emergency," Michael said.

Some industry executives are to join the simulation by being asked to 
consider how they'd get employees to critical jobs if roads are closed, and 
whether they'd send workers into quarantined areas.
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press