In a simulation of terror attacks, two United States cities have been hit simultaneously, with a radiological “dirty bomb” and biological agents – but the “attacks” are just a training exercise. The five-day test, which began with an explosion and fire in the north-western city of Seattle on Monday, is designed to test US emergency response systems. The full scale of the “attack” is to become apparent on Tuesday, as “patients” begin arriving at Chicago area hospitals with flu-like symptoms. The simulation, dubbed “Topoff 2”, has a 200-page script containing some surprises not announced to the public in advance. It will cost an estimated $16m and involve 8,500 people in the United States and Canada. Devised by the Department of Homeland Security, the exercise began with the Seattle explosion, to which emergency crews responded within minutes. Actors playing victims were rushed to hospital – but in the scenario, a radioactive cloud is due to spread from the scene of the explosion over the city centre. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.