Biological weapon attack simulated by county (Modesto Bee)

Modesto Bee ^ | October 29, 2002 Posted: 05:40:15 AM PST | By JOHN HOLLAND

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Nearly 250 fake people gave their lives Monday to help Stanislaus County get ready for real terrorism.

At an all-day exercise at Modesto Centre Plaza, emergency workers discussed how they would respond to the release of a biological weapon. Under the scenario, unveiled at the start of the drill, people were turning up ill after visiting a fanciful place called Valley Mall.

"Hospitals everywhere are inundated with patients seeking assistance," exercise planner Brady O'Hanlon told the 225 or so participants early on. "They all seem to be exhibiting the same symptoms."

The weapon turned out to be pneumonic plague, which can kill within hours if the victim does not get antibiotics. By the time the drill was over, 248 people were dead, 235 were sickened and 12,960 had been examined but were not infected.

The exercise did not involve any actual ambulances, hospitals or decontamination gear. Instead, participants talked across tables about how they would aid victims, identify and contain the bacteria, and keep the public informed and calm.

As part of the scenario, fictitious television reporters asked whether the infection might be the West Nile virus, influenza or something else.

"Those who are receiving the highest ratings are those speculating that this could be biological terrorism," O'Hanlon said in his initial briefing.

Hospitals had to call in police to assure that victims did not walk in and contaminate emergency rooms. Mental health experts had to counsel distraught families and weary workers. Coroners had to consider whether remains should be held as evidence or released for funerals.

Experts from dozens of local, state and federal agencies took part in the exercise. People from nearby counties observed the discussions, but the real media were allowed in only for the initial briefing.

The U.S. Office of Justice Programs helped Stanislaus County and the city of Modesto put on the drill, with assistance from O'Hanlon's company, Titan Systems.

The federal agency will evaluate the exercise, then issue a report in about three months. City and county officials will determine how much should be made public about weak links in preparedness.

"For obvious reasons, we don't want it to fall into the wrong hands," said Bud Marshall, exercise program manager for the Office of Justice Programs.

At a press conference at the end of the exercise, the planners said they were generally pleased with how it went.

"Today is a step forward for the protection of the citizens of Stanislaus County," said Dr. John Walker, the county's public health officer.

The exercise was funded by a small part of a $310,000 grant to Modesto for anti-terrorism training and equipment. The grant paid for a similar "tabletop" exercise involving a chemical weapon in June. A final drill, involving a chemical weapon and the actual response equipment, is planned for August.

Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at 578-2385 or jholland@modbee.com