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Raleigh, NC - Baltimore public safety agencies put their response efforts to the test during Operation Down Under, a mock terrorist incident that took place in a Baltimore metro station. The drill simulated a domestic terrorist attack in the John Hopkins subway station that involved the detonation an explosive chemical device during the morning rush hour commute. Over 250 victims were affected by the mock explosive and in need of decontamination and treatment.
This exercise provided a unique venue for more than sixteen participating agencies to work together and deploy their specialized equipment and training expertise. The objective of the drill was to test the regional departments ability to decontaminate a large number of victims, identify the chemical used, locate and rescue victims trapped in the station, and effectively communicate with the other departments and agencies involved to provide a coordinated response.
The drill began when a mock call was broadcast over the radio indicating that an explosive device had been reported in the tunnel. Response teams began arriving and quickly established a command post, decontamination tents, and rescue treatment areas. Injured civilians began exiting the tunnel entry and were promptly escorted to the decontamination staging areas where treatment could then be administered.
Raytheon JPS Communications was invited to participate in the drill by the Baltimore City Fire Department, who was responsible for coordinating the interagency communications. The TRP-1000 was set up adjacent to the command post and each of the agencies provided a portable radio to be connected. The TRP-1000 was responsible for providing interagency communication but it also assisted in the below grade communication. A radio was placed in the tunnel and then connected to the ACU-1000 via an extension cable to enable the participating agencies to monitor the tunnel rescue status. This ability to monitor the below grade communication allowed all the agencies involved in the rescue efforts to have first hand information regarding the status and severity of the incident.
During Operation Down Under, the public safety agencies of Baltimore tested their ability and resources to coordinate response efforts during a mass casualty event. The ACU technology allowed them to share information more efficiently and accurately, which essentially aided in the overall success of the drill.
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