Bioterrorism Attack Exercise in Broomfield on Oct. 8

The Adams/Broomfield HAZMAT Authority will be testing field response capabilities in conjunction with the Broomfield Police Department and Colorado National Guard's Weapons of Mass Destruction - 8th Civil Support Team at the Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park on Wed., Oct. 8 from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of a regional bioterrorism attack exercise coordinated by Colorado's North Central All-Hazards Region.

The larger, regional exercise runs from Oct. 7-9 and will test bioterrorism emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the metro area. Multiple local agencies will be participating including North Metro Fire, Broomfield Police Department, City and County of Broomfield, Broomfield Office of Emergency Management, Broomfield Public Health and Environment and Adams/Broomfield HAZMAT Authority.

While much of the exercise will be executed within the City and County's Emergency Operations Center, citizens will see activity at the Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park on Wed., Oct. 8 from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Specifically, the exercise will test Broomfield's cross-jurisdictional response to a bioterrorism attack. It is a simulated bioterror incident designed to test Broomfield's:

• Surveillance and detection abilities
• System-wide coordination
• Risk communications
• Incident consequence management

The Bay in Broomfield is one of just three sites that will host a HAZMAT response team for the exercise. The other sites are located in Arvada and Centennial.

By testing our capabilities, we will be able to further protect our community and improve our preparedness.