March Newsletter - 2004

Mock Terror Event Training Exercise
The Community Assistance Response Exercise (CARE ’04) will take place May 16th -22nd at the Boone County fairgrounds in Columbia Missouri.  Exercise participants will include seven National Guard Units from four states (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa), the FBI, the EPA, military specialists, state-level emergency management, and local fire, police, EMS and hospitals. 

This exercise is designed to assess all areas of preparedness within the region, including current capabilities, developed contingency plans and determine where gaps lie in both education and training.  The coordination of both military and civilian efforts provides a canvas similar to what can be expected in a real bioterrorism event. 

The exercise will begin with participant groups setting up and readying equipment necessary for their particular area of expertise.  Days three and four will involve discussing the mission and capabilities of all involved, as well as provide essential classroom training and education.  Days four and five will begin the actual exercise.  The exercise will run for two full days without end and will include a variety of challenges including biological and radiological terrorist attacks.

Much like an actual event, participants will not know when these events will occur and will have to tax their resources and capabilities for 48 continuous hours, while working in conjunction with other responders. The final component to this exercise will include the evacuation of select patients, via air, to regional facilities.  This mass exercise will include approximately 200 realistic victims to assist participants in developing their skills with detection, treatment, evacuation and coordination to combat a bioterrorism threat. 

The Center is proud to have two Center members participating in this exercise with their National Guard units.  Stay tuned to future newsletters for a discussion of their experiences.    

Have a question or comment? Email bioterr@slu.edu