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Dirty bomb germs simulated cities { May 13 2003 }

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   http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030513-10526728.htm

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030513-10526728.htm

'Dirty bomb,' germs
simulated in cities
Audrey Hudson
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Published May 13, 2003

A five-day drill began yesterday in Seattle and Chicago to simulate simultaneous acts of terrorism as part of an exercise to test the nation's preparedness for a terrorist attack.
The scenarios had a radioactive "dirty bomb" exploding near downtown Seattle killing hundreds and a biological agent believed to be the plague being unleashed on Chicago.
Actors portrayed President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the hundreds of victims in the mock disasters, while thousands of local, state and federal responders played themselves.
The estimated cost of the exercise is $16 million. It's the first such drill since the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
"It is a great opportunity to find where the pitfalls are and to correct those pitfalls," said Michael Brown, undersecretary of Homeland Security.
The mock explosion south of Seattle at noon Eastern Daylight Time appeared to shatter buildings, set cars ablaze and wreck buses as "wounded" people sought emergency treatment.
Although the dirty bomb was to contain radioactive material, first-responders were not wearing protective gear nor did they immediately appear to test for radiation. Emergency workers soon will detect radiation in the bomb crater, and the terrorist alert nationwide will be raised to "severe".
As the cleanup begins in Seattle today, health officials north of the border in Vancouver will begin receiving numerous reports of flulike symptoms. Chicago also will start to feel the effects of a biological attack as hospitals receive patients exhibiting flulike symptoms.
A fictional terrorist group named GLODO will take credit for the attacks, and its hide-out will be discovered in Washington state today.
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said the exercises are critical for local and state responders.
"When a disaster occurs, people do not call the White House. They call 911," Mr. Nickels said.
Nearly 20 federal agencies in the District are monitoring communications and coordinated efforts in Seattle, Chicago and Canada.
Early on in the scenario, more than 40 emergency personnel from D.C., federal and local organizations were in the Emergency Operations center. The FBI also sent agents to Seattle and received information that caused deployment of hazardous materials teams.
A much larger emergency scene unfolded across the Potomac in the Hilton Hote,l where the mock blast was monitored.
There, nearly 90 people from 26 federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration were positioned in front of computers receiving and sending communications about conditions, injuries, whether biological or radiological materials were involved, and tips about the terrorists.
"It is this cooperation that will help defeat terrorism worldwide," Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said.
A report card on all agencies will be issued after the exercises are completed.
The states will be reimbursed $5 million for the exercises, but Washington Gov. Gary Locke said his state needs more money to beef up border control and cargo inspections to prevent a bomb from crossing the port or border.
"We could all use more money," Mr. Locke told CNN.

Copyright © 2003 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.



Dirty bomb germs simulated cities { May 13 2003 }
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