City to Take Part in Dirty Bomb Drill

Dec 5th, 2007

Multiple city, county, regional, state and federal agencies will participate in a full scale radiological dispersal device (RDD) also known as “Dirty Bomb” detonation training exercise on Thursday, December 6 beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. The exercise activities will take place at the Alabama State Docks at the corner of Beauregard and North Water Streets across from the GM&O Building and at the Emergency Operations Center at Mobile County Emergency Management Agency located at 348 North McGregor Avenue.

Volunteer actors will serve as victims during the incident. The drill scenario involves a container at the State Docks that tests positive for Radiological Readings which eventually explodes causing multiple injuries. There will also be a “simulated” incident at the Mobile Regional Airport where a suspect is detained because of positive readings for explosives and radiological material in luggage and a multi-vehicle accident in the Bankhead tunnel. Patients will be treated and decontaminated at the exercise site and transported to hospitals in both Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Some emergency sirens will be activated primarily in the downtown area.

The purpose of the exercise is to test and evaluate the response and capabilities of all response agencies including fire, law enforcement (all levels), emergency medical services, emergency management, local hospitals, public health, and public transportation in the event of a terrorist incident response.

Participating Agencies:

Local

Mobile County EMA, Mobile Fire-Rescue, Mobile Police, Prichard Fire, Saraland Fire, Mobile County Sheriff’s Department, City of Chickasaw, Mobile County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Mobile County Health Department, Mobile Transit Systems, Baldwin County EMA, Infirmary West, Springhill Medical, Thomas Hospital, USA Medical Center, Mobile Infirmary, Providence Hospital and Volunteer Mobile-Americorp.

Regional/State/Federal

Alabama State EMA, Alabama Department of Homeland Security, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama State Docks Authority, Mobile Port Police, Alabama Army National Guard, Alabama State Troopers, Alabama Marine Resources, Alabama Department of Transportation, Civil Air Patrol, Alabama Defense Force, U.S Coast Guard, U.S Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Transportation Security Administration (TSA).