Overview
This training event is a three-day, in-person tabletop exercise (TTX) hosted by the Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC). Day 1 will provide a detailed background briefing on the scenario and presentations from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear subject matter experts. The TTX will occur on Day 2, simulating the first eight hours of a nationally significant consequence management (CM) event. Day 3 will conclude with an after-action briefing and discussion. This event will be held at the Pollard Technology Conference Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Registration is free for all attendees. The target audience is first responders, law enforcement, government, and military attendees. Attendance is capped at 200. For inquiries, please email training@hdiac.org or call (443) 360-4600.
Scenario
A mixed-hazardous waste (MHW) device (or “dirty bomb”) is intentionally exploded in East Tennessee by unknown hostile actors, targeting a key electrical infrastructure node. The follow-on combustion of the MHW source material releases potentially hazardous levels of radionuclides and other dangerous chemicals into the environment, threatening to contaminate numerous commercial and residential locations. Prevailing winds soon transport the MHW plume toward the federal Oak Ridge Reservation, where multiple U.S. government and national security sites conduct nuclear power and radiological research and development. A secondary attack on an indeterminate target is deemed likely.
The explosion triggers a major governmental response, with authorities declaring a major disaster and multiple state, local, county, defense, and federal agencies responding. The TTX begins shortly after hour 0, as leaders begin to receive key information about the nature of the device and the scope of the damage and take initial steps to coordinate their CM response.
TTX Goals
Upon completion of this exercise, participants will be better able to:
1. Understand the capabilities and “limitations at large” of various government organizations in response to a major disaster/attack and its impact on CM requirements and planning and resources at the national, state, and local levels.
2. Identify key organizations and points of contact for future CM planning and execution exercises.
3. Highlight and record key organizational shortfalls and limitations for future research.