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TERROR SIM HELPS ANALYZE POLICIES, OPERATING PROCEDURES

A recent homeland security conference featured exercises in which local, state and federal officials participated in terrorism simulation programs.

The Purdue Homeland Security Institute's Measured Response conference is a synthetic environment that simulates the consequences of an attack on our critical infrastructure through the use of a weapon of mass destruction, and the ability of our government to respond to such an attack. The objective of the exercise is to develop and analyze policies and operating procedures to manage the public mood, maintain public health, mitigate the risk of contagion, maintain orderly movement of traffic and people, and apprehend perpetrators.

The supercomputer simulations included a mock SARS outbreak in Indianapolis and a fictional bombing in Southern Indiana that killed 10,000 people. Participants tested for strategies in handling such situations.

After the drills, an after-action review helped participants examine possible ways to improve the program and the simulations involved.

The media, according to participants, should be taken into account while reviewing the simulations. One participant, for example, said the media should have access to news stations with footage of the event, because in the real world, those who aren’t sitting in control rooms with media updates do watch CNN or other stations. Others believed the simulation showed the importance of using the media as partners and having good communication between all levels of government.

Participants did not think that the simulation was realistic because it used a six-week mock time-frame in a two-day reality. Researchers are pushing to make the simulation closer to real time.

But creating a simulation as complex as the real world proves to be extremely difficult. Commentary from the participants is helpful in improving the simulations.

Experts praised the simulation, citing its importance in preparing for complex situations and filling in potential policy gaps. They hope, as do researchers, that the simulations will become more helpful and advanced in coming years.