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NBC12
Posted [1] : 2007-09-18 17:44:56

Hundreds of emergency responders descend on Fort Lee for a mock terrorist attack today. They are there to prepare, should disaster really strike.

It’s called “Talon Shield” and it is only a drill. But to those training at the army base, it's has to be as real as possible because if disaster strikes, it’s communication between all of those first responders that can make the difference between life and death.

“Its very realistic, says Eric Perryman, with Fort Lee’s Plans and Operations Chief.

“It's not an Al Qaeda attack, but we feel this kind of attack is our biggest threat,” he says.

While this is only a drill, the threat of the unknown chemical substance can be very real. Within minutes, rescue teams respond and now it’s how they work together that will determine the outcome of this potentially disastrous situation.

Local and federal law enforcement, EMS, and firefighters coordinate efforts with military personnel on base. They cordon off the area and assess the risk level and then race to rescue the survivors who then go through the intense decontamination process.

Only when the victims are safe, do hazmat teams enter the ‘hot zone’ working to identify the unknown agent and find the person responsible.

This is the third year Fort Lee has conducted this kind of drill. They say every time they hold an exercise like this, they learn something new.