Terrorist Bomb Exercise in Phoenix

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be conducting a test in three U.S. locations from October 15 through October 19, 2007. The spots chosen for what is referred to as a TOPOFF 4 Full-Scale Exercise are Guam, Portland, OR and Phoenix, AZ.

This is a test. More than 15,000 entities--federal, state, territorial, and local entities--will participate. According to DHS, "the scenario begins as terrorists, who have been planning attacks in Oregon, Arizona, and the U.S. Territory of Guam, successfully bring radioactive material into the United States. The first of three coordinated attacks occurs in Guam, with the simulated detonation of a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), or dirty bomb, causing casualties and wide-spread contamination in a populous area near a power plant. Similar attacks occur in the hours that follow in Portland and Phoenix.

An RDD is not the same as a nuclear attack. It is a conventional explosive that, upon detonation, releases radioactive material into the surrounding area. Although it does not cause the type of catastrophic damage associated with a nuclear detonation, there are severe rescue, health, and long-term decontamination concerns associated with an RDD."

Real weapons will not be used in the test scenario, but responders will react as if it was a real dirty bomb.

KPHO has disclosed the location as being where the 101 and 202 loops intersect. As far as I'm concerned, that means that I'll be avoiding the area around Bass Pro Shops in Mesa and the Cine Capri at Tempe Marketplace, as well as pretty much the whole Rio Salado area if I can help it during those days.