An American city tested itself for the first time Monday against a potential ”dirty bomb” attack by terrorists, launching a full-scale drill to hone the skills of emergency workers and top decision-makers alike. Clouds of acrid, black smoke, an explosion and a small, momentary fireball were the only immediately visible signs of the practice event staged about noon in an industrial area next to busy Interstate 5 south of downtown Seattle. One city bus lay overturned, another was damaged, and several cars were burned out. The debris was set up in advance to depict the immediate aftermath of a dirty bomb that the nation’s homeland security officials believe terrorists might use to cause damage and sow fear in a large city. Under the guidelines set up for the event, the attack that simulated the use of conventional explosives to release a cloud of radioactive material ”killed” two people and ”injured” 150, who were taken to nearby hospitals for decontamination and other treatment. The drill and another exercise simulating a bioterrorism attack in Chicago are being staged this week as part of the federal government’s effort to better prepare cities for terrorist attacks. The two drills, which cost $16 million to stage and 22 months to script, are so realistic that some of the bomb ”victims” in Seattle screamed after seeing their graphic-looking ”burns. Full Story
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