By Khalida Sarwari
Nearly 1,000 volunteers and representatives of public health agencies from 10 counties are participating in a drill involving a simulated biohazard emergency at the Oakland Coliseum today.
The “Bay Area Mass Prophylaxis Exercise” will test participants’ responses in a hypothetical situation that requires quick action and little margin for error.
Oakland police Lt. David Brue said the exercise is an opportunity for the region to prepare for an actual bioterrorism emergency.
“It’s all about preparation,” Brue said. “We want to drill in order to get the practice time in, in the event that the situation actually occurs.”
The exercise began at 10:30 a.m. today and a news conference is planned for 12:30 p.m.
The exercise was initiated by the Bay Area Super Urban Area Security Initiative, a regional agency created in 2006.