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Conn., N.J. to simulate chemical, biological attacks

7/23/2004, 5:08 p.m. ET
By MATT APUZZO
The Associated Press

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — A simulated chemical attack in southeastern Connecticut and a biological attack on New Jersey will test the Northeast next April as part of what is expected to be the world's largest-ever terrorism drill.

A third simultaneous mock attack in the United Kingdom will require a coordinated worldwide effort that will involve top U.S. Cabinet officials and high-ranking British officials.

The types of attacks to be simulated in the $16 million drill were only recently determined. In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, state officials provided a rough outline of what will occur.

Congress has mandated the Top Officials training program — or TOPOFF — be held every two years. It's a realistic drill, with volunteer victims wearing movie makeup blood and burns.

Volunteers will be sent by ambulance to dozens of hospitals. Helicopters and police dogs likely will be called in. And organizers will try to create a true-to-life ground zero. Two years ago, officials detonated a truck full of explosives in a desert, gathered up the pieces and dropped them in downtown Seattle to simulate a radiological "dirty bomb."

"It's a game, but it's as real to life as you can possibly get," acting Connecticut Homeland Security Director John Buturla said.

He said local agencies absorb none of the cost of the drill.

Beginning as early as January, officials in Connecticut and New Jersey will receive information regarding a fictional terrorist organization based in England, with cells operating in the United States.

"They're going to know it's a drill, but that's about it," Buturla said.

Agencies will be watched to see how they respond to such "chatter" and how well they share the information.

As the intelligence trickles in, members of the fictitious terror group will begin running surveillance of their targets. That so-called "Red Team," will actually be comprised of law enforcement officials testing the public's response to suspicious activity.

In April, the chemical "attack" will originate from a ship in New London's harbor, officials said. The chemical to be simulated has not been determined. New London, Norwich and regional responders will be the first on the scene, but the scope of the attack is designed to quickly consume the region's resources.

"We have been saying that New London and New London County are target-rich environments," said New London City Manager Richard Brown, who is helping organize the drill. "This is a really good chance to test New London's capability and that of the region."

Responders will also have to deal with a fictional cable news channel, "VNN," broadcasting live updates that will include reports from the scene and even news leaks.

Besides law enforcement, rescue and military officials, local businesses such as Pfizer and Electric Boat will also participate in the exercise, Buturla said. Two years ago, U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice participated.

Officials said they are not expecting a flawless performance. One of the benefits of the drill will be seeing where agencies come up short, they said.

Several states applied to the U.S. Office of Domestic Preparedness to host the drill.

"It is a real coup for us to host that in Connecticut," said Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who will coordinate the state's response.

Just as federal officials get word about Connecticut's disaster, they'll hear that a biological agent has been released in New Jersey.

New Jersey officials are still determining the location of their drill. Dave Leonardis, director of the state's domestic security planning committee, said the exercise will be especially helpful to test how the state works with its hospitals and medical workers.

"If we do a biological event, it'll test all of our other resources as well," Leonardis said.