Wash. first responders in chemical disaster drill
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington is participating in a national training exercise to coordinate local, state and federal agencies in the event of terrorism or a natural disaster.
In Monday's scenario conducted through Fort Lewis, attackers blow up a chemical plant near the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle and a secondary blast kills first responders. Only a drill.
The National Level Exercise started Thursday and concludes next week. Two other scenarios are a deadly tanker crash in Whatcom County and a toxic release at the Umatilla Chemical Depot in northeast Oregon.
State Emergency Management Division spokesman Rob Harper says the state is activating its emergency operations center as part of the exercise.
Participants include the National Guard, FEMA and Homeland Security.
Copyright 2008 The Olympian
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