Special Operations Coordinates Chemical Warfare Drill

August 7, 2003

Alan Etter

If Washington, DC was struck by terrorists carrying chemical weapons, would the city’s first responders be ready?  A drill conducted by DCFEMS Special Operations, utilizing local and federal resources, examined what our response would be.

The drill, which was executed on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Southeast Washington, presented first responders with an ominous scenario.  During a protest at a hazardous waste facility involving environmental activists, someone, presumably one of the activists, caused a fictitious chain of events that resulted in the introduction of hydrogen cyanide into the building.  There were upwards of 100

patients who were all struck with varying respiratory ailments.  Some were severe, and some were fatal.

Engine 15 was dispatched to what was seemingly a routine medical local.  When members arrived, they encountered a mass casualty incident and immediately called for a HazMat Task Force.  Units responded with military personnel to establish rescue, triage and transport operations. 

Working under a unified command model, Fire & EMS personnel staged decontamination operations and provided emergency medical care and transport for scores of patients.

“This was a very good opportunity to see how our systems mesh with those of other local and federal agencies,” said Fire & EMS Chief Adrian H. Thompson, who attended the event.  “We must be prepared for the unthinkable.  Drills like this help us think out of the box and fine tune our responses in ways that will save lives.”