PraiseLocalResponseTeams

Director James’ Praises Local Response Teams Terrorism Exercise

ROLLA, Feb. 25, 2006-Director of Public Safety Mark James oversaw several hundred observers, actors, state and federal responders, and members of 12 Missouri Homeland Security Response Teams (HRST) demonstrated their ability to respond to a regional terrorism event and ultimately protect the citizens of Missouri during a terrorism exercise Saturday in Rolla.

“Today’s exercise demonstrated Missouri’s emergency responder community’s advanced training and specialized equipment can and will save our citizens’ lives in the event of an actual terrorist attack in Missouri. The state agencies and the members of the local teams must be congratulated for their outstanding response capabilities,” said Department of Public Safety Director Mark James.

The terrorism exercise was designed to test:
· The ability to alert and mobilize multiple HRST teams to a regional response,
· The ability to communicate between multiple responders and the State Emergency Operations Center,
· The ability to identify a chemical agent and conduct decontamination of victims and responders,
· The ability to sustain continuous operations over an extended period of time, and
· The ability of the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) to gather and disseminate intelligence information between state agencies and on-scene responders.

Twelve teams responded terrorist event and were given specific taskings. The teams exercising hazardous materials entry and/or response included Rolla, Camden County, Jefferson County, Cole County and SEMO (Southeast Missouri)/Jackson. The teams exercising decontamination response included Lebanon, West Plains, St Charles/Warren County and Ozark Regional Team. Teams exercising a law enforcement component included Franklin County, St. Louis County, Springfield/Logan-Rogersville, and SEMO/Jackson. The Sikeston element of the SEMO/Team exercised SWAT capabilities. The Cole County team also exercised interoperable communications capabilities. The Missouri Highway Patrol exercised bomb detection and demolition capabilities. The Department of Natural Resources Environmental Emergency Response provided on scene technical assistance.

State Agencies responding either in Rolla or to the State Emergency Operations Center include: Department of Public Safety Director, Homeland Security, State Emergency Management Agency, Highway Patrol, Missouri Information Analysis Center, Water Patrol, Missouri National Guard, Conservation, Corrections, and Department of Natural Resources. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also participated in the exercise.

*News Release*
*Public Safety*	Matt Blunt, Governor	Mark James, Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact: Terri Durdaller Communication Director Work:(573) 751-4819 Cell: (573) 301-2023
Director James’ Praises Local Response Teams Terrorism Exercise ROLLA, Feb. 25, 2006-Director of Public Safety Mark James oversaw several hundred observers, actors, state and federal responders, and members of 12 Missouri Homeland Security Response Teams (HRST) demonstrated their ability to respond to a regional terrorism event and ultimately protect the citizens of Missouri during a terrorism exercise Saturday in Rolla. “Today’s exercise demonstrated Missouri’s emergency responder community’s advanced training and specialized equipment can and will save our citizens’ lives in the event of an actual terrorist attack in Missouri. The state agencies and the members of the local teams must be congratulated for their outstanding response capabilities,” said Department of Public Safety Director Mark James. The terrorism exercise was designed to test: · The ability to alert and mobilize multiple HRST teams to a regional response, · The ability to communicate between multiple responders and the State Emergency Operations Center, · The ability to identify a chemical agent and conduct decontamination of victims and responders, · The ability to sustain continuous operations over an extended period of time, and · The ability of the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) to gather and disseminate intelligence information between state agencies and on-scene responders. Twelve teams responded terrorist event and were given specific taskings. The teams exercising hazardous materials entry and/or response included Rolla, Camden County, Jefferson County, Cole County and SEMO (Southeast Missouri)/Jackson. The teams exercising decontamination response included Lebanon, West Plains, St Charles/Warren County and Ozark Regional Team. Teams exercising a law enforcement component included Franklin County, St. Louis County, Springfield/Logan-Rogersville, and SEMO/Jackson. The Sikeston element of the SEMO/Team exercised SWAT capabilities. The Cole County team also exercised interoperable communications capabilities. The Missouri Highway Patrol exercised bomb detection and demolition capabilities. The Department of Natural Resources Environmental Emergency Response provided on scene technical assistance. State Agencies responding either in Rolla or to the State Emergency Operations Center include: Department of Public Safety Director, Homeland Security, State Emergency Management Agency, Highway Patrol, Missouri Information Analysis Center, Water Patrol, Missouri National Guard, Conservation, Corrections, and Department of Natural Resources. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also participated in the exercise.
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