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EXECUTIVE OFFICE JANET NAPOLITANO GOVERNOR |
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FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT: PAUL ALLVIN (602)
542-1251 (O) |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Release Regarding
Joint Mock Terrorist Attack Exercise
Joint
Press Release
State
- Local - County - State of
For
More Information:
Sheriff
Tony Estrada 520-761-7869
Juan
Pablo Guzman 520-287-6571 City of
Jessica
Heredia
011 52 631 312 0828 State of
The
Arizona Office of Homeland Security, the
The
Arizona Statewide Binational Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMD) Exercise will last three days and will be the most extensive
exercise ever conducted in the area. Nearly 1,000 people from 60 agencies are
expected to participate over the duration.
"Exercises
such as this will prepare us for a host of different types of disasters,"
said Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.
"It's critical that we stress the importance of using an
all-hazards approach to homeland security, whether it involves being ready to
respond to a terrorist strike or catastrophic disaster caused by a natural
hazard, such as wildland fire, flood or monsoon
storm."
"This
is a unique opportunity for us to test local, state and federal capabilities to
respond to a terrorist scenario on a binational
level," said Frank Navarrete, Director of the
Arizona Office of Homeland Security.
"This exercise will help us to test terrorism response and recovery
plans, identify gaps and ultimately ensure the future safety and security of
our citizens."
In
the simulation, a "stolen" chemical agent will be driven by truck to
the Mariposa Port of Entry, then detonate. The exercise will involve a
multi-agency response to mass casualties and the decontamination of a hazardous
agent. The WMD drill will measure the capabilities of border patrol, emergency
management, law enforcement, fire, public health, and hospital personnel to
deal with a large-scale terrorist attack.
The exercise is being staged on a day when the Mariposa Commercial Port
of Entry (one of the busiest
The
exercise will continue Nov. 17 and 18 to address after effects of an emergency,
such as mental health services, mitigation, and recovery.
"This
exercise provides a training opportunity that cannot be equaled in a classroom.
We are able to bring to life plans that now exist only on paper as we make
critical, potentially
Border
Exercise, page 2
life-saving
decisions in a real-time scenario," said Navarrete. "This is a true test of our ability to
work together and mobilize resources as safely and quickly as possible."
Please
see the attached sheet on media coverage.
Participating
Agencies
Office
of Homeland Security
Division
of Emergency Management
Department
of Health Services
Department
of Transportation
Department
of Agriculture
Department
of Public Safety
Department
of Environmental Quality
City
of
Metropolitan
Medical Response System (MMRS) of
City
of
Fire
Districts of
Tohono
O'dham Indian Reservation
American
Red Cross
Salvation
Army
RACES
Citizen
Corps (Pima and
Explorers
Federal
Agencies:
Immigration
and Customs Enforcement
Federal
Bureau of Investigation
Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Border
Exercise, page 3
Environmental
Protection Agency
Cruz
Roja Mexicana (Red Cross)
Proteccion Civil (Civil
Protection)
Consulado de Mexico
(Consulate)
Bomberos de Nogales
(Fire)
Grupo Beta (LE and Border
Patrol),
Mexican
Customs (Customs)
Mexican
Immigration (Immigration)
Presidencia Municipal (State
Police)
Mexican
EPA
Traffic
Control (
Mexican
Police (
Hospital
Basico
Hospital
Securo Social
Border
Exercise, page 4
Media
Coverage - Badges/Parking
Media
representatives are invited and encouraged to cover this unique event. However, the following is important
information related to the exercise:
Event
coordinators and participants will be representing many governments (including
Media
representatives who wish to attend must register, preferably in advance, and
will be issued a badge allowing them to be at the "incident" area and
to observe operations and mock media briefings at the
A
"Media Escort" will provide information and updates to media
representatives as the scenario unfolds.
To
register, contact Maru Duarte, Emergency Management
Coordinator,
DIRECTIONS:
The reporting location for shuttle rides is Santa Cruz County Emergency
Operations Center (EOC),
To
reach the Center, take Interstate 19 to the Mariposa exit (exit 4). Make left at the light off the freeway exit,
head east, and then turn left at the first traffic light (
Report
to the EOC by
Media
packets that include an overview of the exercise will be distributed
onsite. If you have any questions
regarding media badging, please contact Maru Duarte, Santa Cruz County Emergency Management at
520-375-8000.
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