Counter-Terrorism Exercise Scheduled For New York City

May 24, 2005
Exercise will be NYC's first large-scale test of the city's bio-terror

NEW YORK -- The first large-scale test of New York City's bio-terror plans in concert with federal resources will be exercised on June 1-2 when more than 1,200 federal, state and local players assemble for a realistic training exercise.

The New York scenario will involve a simulated terrorist dissemination of a biological warfare agent at an outdoor event in Queens or Brooklyn. As soon as New York officials discover that they are under attack, they will urgently request emergency medical supplies from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga., from the Strategic National Stockpile Program. The program is designed to supplement or re-supply state and local health agencies in the event of a terrorist or other emergency. The exercise is code-named POD-EX, for "points of distribution," and will involve many sites for distribution of anti-toxins.

The exercise is being funded by the US Department of Homeland Security with counter-terrorism funds, and sponsored by the New York City Office of Emergency Management. The Titan Corporation of San Diego has been contracted to design and conduct the exercise.