WASHINGTON - A radioactive "dirty bomb" will be detonated in Seattle. Hospitals in Chicago will be flooded with patients complaining of mysterious flu-like symptoms. Officials in Washington, D.C., will scramble to respond. It will all be part of the biggest homeland-security drill ever conducted. The federal government launches a five-day, $16 million exercise next Monday to test the nation's ability to respond to a multicity terrorist attack. (Related story: Homeland Security answers to everyone)
"The exercise scenario and the extent of damage are based on a hypothetical situation," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Monday. "They do reflect plausible threats to the United States."
Plans for the simulation, which will run May 12-16, have been under way for two years. More than 8,500 people from 25 federal agencies, state and local governments and the Red Cross will participate. Canada also will be involved as officials grapple with how to handle cross-border epidemiological issues from the fictional pneumonia-like plague released in Chicago.
Ridge said no real explosives or harmful devices will be used in the exercise. But the participants - with the exception of President Bush and his aides, who will be played by stand-ins - will assume the roles they would fill in a real attack or emergency.
Addressing concerns that people might see emergency workers in chemical suits or "victims" at hospitals and think terrorists have attacked, Ridge said: "Let me be very, very clear. This is a simulation. This is a test."
Over the weekend, Seattle and Chicago residents will receive letters about the drill. Ridge said ads will run in newspapers letting people know what to expect.
The first such drill was held in 2000, before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. No one outside government paid much attention.
In next week's drill, "our objective is to improve the nation's capacity to save lives in ... a terrorist event," Ridge said.
The round-the-clock scenario involves a fictitious terrorist group and a fictitious television news network. Although participants have been told when and where the simulated attacks will occur, and that they involve a radiological device and biological agent, the details remain secret to allow for some elements of surprise.
"We want to keep responders guessing," said Ted Macklin of the Homeland Security Department.