City To Conduct Terror Response Exercise Sunday In Queens

City To Conduct Terror Response Exercise Sunday In Queens

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index...d=10&aid=58100

March 25, 2006

If you hear loud noises or see flashes of light or extra emergency vehicles in Queens Sunday, don't panic – it's all part of an exercise being conducted by the Office of Emergency Management.

The exercise, codenamed Trifecta, will test the way police, fire, and other emergency responders deal with a simulated terrorist attack on the city's public transit system.

The drill will take place in the Maspeth Rail Yard.

Set-up starts around midnight and the exercise runs from around 10 a.m. Sunday through 6 p.m.

Maspeth Avenue will be closed during the exercise from Rust Street to 49th Street. There may also be some extra traffic on Rust Street between Flushing Avenue and 43rd Street during the day.

For more information, city residents can call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/oem.

Sunday Test For Terror Response

http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1143152432.html

By ANDREW MOESEL
3/23/2006

If you see an explosion or two near the Maspeth Rail Yard this weekend, don’t be alarmed – you’re actually going to be safer in the morning.

New York City’s emergency responders – police, firefighters, federal agents, medical technicians, etc. – will be fighting a mock terrorist attack at the location as part of a training exercise.

The drill will assess the city’s ability to deal with a terrorist incident within the public transit system.

Details about the scenario are kept confidential before the event, however, to simulate the unpredictable nature of terrorist attacks.

Residents should not panic if they notice loud noises and flashes coming from the rail yard Sunday; these mock explosions are planned, said Department of Emergency Management officials.

Moreover, despite the use of HazMat suits and masks, no actual hazardous materials will be used during the exercise.

City officials will be on hand to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the emergency response plans and the communication between the many different agencies. A week later, participants will have a roundtable discussion identifying areas where the City can improve its response.

“It’s to test a large interagency response to a large-scale disaster,” said Andrew Troisi, an OEM spokesman. “The idea is to test how responders will react to a scenario that is really occurring.”

Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), chairman of the Council Public Safety Committee, recently challenged state officials to increase coordination of its Homeland Security efforts with City agencies.

“Day in and day out, New York City and its residents are on the front lines of the war on terrorism,” Vallone said. “We can always do a better job protecting our City – and the State can start by putting everyone on the same page.”

During this weekend’s exercise, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, traffic will be closed on Maspeth Avenue from Rust Street to 49th Street. Emergency vehicles could also cause congestion on other streets near the rail yards, officials said.

All participating agencies will retain regular staff levels during the exercise. Response times for real emergencies should not be effected, officials said.

They like to make their drills as REAL as possible...