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Spartanburg Public Safety - Dirty Bomb Exercise-Drill 5/17/08
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Spartanburg, SC (May 8th, 2008): The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), in coordination with
approximately sixty-eight Local, State, and Federal agencies throughout the upstate, will conduct an exercise on
May 17th, 2008. The exercise will involve the simulation of the simultaneous detonation of “dirty bombs” in three
Southeastern cities. The drill will test the readiness of emergency response agencies and health professionals in
the Spartanburg-Greenville region to receive and treat a large number of patients.
A “dirty bomb” combines conventional explosives with radioactive material. These devices are intended to
disperse radioactive materials and inflict mass disruption throughout the community or country. As a result of this
theoretical attack, patients will be sent to Spartanburg for medical treatment in the Spartanburg-Greenville area,
testing the readiness of area resources to mobilize and process large numbers of patients. The Spartanburg Public
Safety Department – Fire Division will assume command of the drill and coordinate closely with agency partners.
“This is a unique opportunity for Local, State, and Federal assets to train together”, said Fire Chief Bill Ale,
incident commander for the exercise. “Drills such as this bring together a variety of resources and agencies which
may not typically train together. These activities are intended to test resources and improve response capabilities”.
The drill will be conducted at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg. West Bishop Street will be
closed to thru traffic. Members of the media may enter the area from Franklin Street, turning into the Fairgrounds
parking area. Video/photo opportunities and interviews will be made available to all credentialed media. You will
be able to view the emergency response activities, on-site decontamination, and other activities. Members of the
general public will not be admitted into the site.
The media should observe the following ground rules for this event:
· You must enter the drill site from Franklin Street. You will be directed to appropriate parking.
· Photographers should be set up and in place by 8:30 AM. Events will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
· Interviews will be provided as time allows.
· Please respect the boundary lines set up at the drill site. Movement outside the boundaries could result in
injury to you or to exercise participants.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contacts:
Mike Julazadeh, Fire Marshal
Mjulazadeh@cityofspartanburg.org
864.596.2449
Lt. Colonel Simon Nour, NDMS FCC Coordinator
Simon.Nour@amedd.army.mil
803.237.9289 |
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