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RODERICK L. BREMBY, SECRETARY |
K A N S A S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT |
KATHLEEN SEBELIUS, GOVERNOR |
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State and Local Officials Call ‘Oktoberfest’ Exercises a Big Success
Six regional bioterrorism preparedness exercises held across Kansas in October have been termed a big success by state and local officials. Over 1,100 participants put state and local bioterrorism plans to the test during “Oktoberfest – An Exercise in Terror.”
The exercises, conducted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bioterrorism Program, were funded by a Department of Justice, Office of Domestic Preparedness grant made available through the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP).
“The Oktoberfest exercises were a successful springboard to prepare us for statewide drills planned for mid-2004,” said Mindee Reece, State Bioterrorism Director. “Participating agencies got a real taste of the cooperation it will take to effectively respond to a public health crisis in Kansas.”
The regional exercises, held in Salina, Topeka, Hays, Garden City, Wichita and Parsons gave local public health and safety officials the chance to practice their response to a bioterrorism scenario customized for each area. The scenario involved the intentional spread of an infectious disease by a fictitious terrorist group during a local festival in each region.
A traffic accident involving a truck carrying a pesticide was included to test each region’s ability to respond to an incident involving hazardous materials. The scenario was designed to also test the interaction between local authorities and state and federal agencies.
Designed as a plan review exercise, participants were able to explore the interface of the various local response plans and identify the coordination efforts necessary to respond to a major health emergency. The exercises were organized to gauge strengths and identify priorities for system improvements and also highlighted roles, responsibilities and authorities for responding to a major health emergency. Participants were challenged to think beyond their current capabilities and to identify regional approaches for managing the simulated events as they unfolded.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office joined KDHE and KHP as state agencies participating in the simulated exercises. The Kansas Hospital Association and the Kansas Funeral Directors Association also participated.
Local participants included hospitals, local health departments, emergency managers, law enforcement agencies, fire/EMS departments and city/county government officials.
According to Cindy Samuelson, Kansas Hospital Association Vice President, “These exercises allowed Kansas hospitals to not only put their bioterrorism plans to the test, but to also establish or strengthen working relationships with the other key players in their counties and regions. I think it was very beneficial to all of the participants across the state.”