Volunteers from about 20 federal and local agencies were among those who helped simulate a biological attack at the Pentagon on Saturday morning to assess emergency response and preparedness efforts.
A stream of harmless garden powder used for crop dusting was released at about 8 a.m. at the Pentagon South Parking Lot. Volunteers were exposed to the powder and decontaminated close to the nearby Navy Annex. A helicopter also landed and departed from the other side of the lot to measure the amount of powder that the chopper kicked up into the air.
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, in cooperation with Arlington County and other federal and local agencies, conducted the test. Similar tests were held in 2005 and 2007. Contaminant samples were taken from volunteers’ heads, shoulders, hands, and rings they were assigned to wear. A subset of volunteers were also issued watches, glasses and car keys to test the powder’s effect on those items. They were then decontaminated and re-sampled.
“In a chemical event, there’s a clear need to remove everything,” said Christina Murata, deputy director and chief science officer with the PFPA’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear & Explosives Directorate. But there is very little data, however, as to whether removing all personal effects and clothes is necessary during a biological attack, Murata said.
She said the purpose of examining the effect on personal items was to minimize the potential psychological impacts on victims already dealing with the trauma of an attack to them be forced to turn over a family heirloom or strip naked in front of hundreds of people.
“[It’s] a really integrated test that crosses all levels,” said Paul Benda, the PFPA-CBRNE director. “Arlington County… we couldn’t do this test without them.” “We want to build on this test,” he added. “We’re still learning things from the data gained two years ago, quite frankly.”
Robert Griffin, Director of Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management, said that his office conducts similar tests throughout the year to examine and maintain its own preparedness levels. “It’s a constant cycle that we’re in to better prepare or sharpen our preparedness,” said Griffin.
“It’s a commitment to our goal of trying to keep the region safe.”
– Arlington County Fire and Police Departments
– Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
– Air Force District of Washington
– Fairfax County Emergency Response Teams
– Department of Homeland Security
– Red Cross
– Environmental Protection Agency
– National Park Service
– Fort Myer military community
