First Responders Participate In Terrorism Drill

Tulsa emergency workers are another step closer to being able to handle a terrorist attack. Area groups practiced a full scale terrorism exercise Tuesday along with the Oklahoma National Guard. News

Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa emergency workers are another step closer to being able to handle a terrorist attack. Area groups practiced a full scale terrorism exercise Tuesday along with the Oklahoma National Guard. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports the terrorism drill involved two threats, a dirty bomb that was leaking radiological material and a chemical lab that was booby-trapped.

Tuesdayâ€™s exercise included Tulsa, Sapulpa, Claremore and the military. Of course, the goal is to get all these agencies together and talking and understanding the chain of command before a real terrorist attack.

Terrorism is no longer about ordinary bombs, now emergency crews need the equipment and the know how to deal with every kind of evil plot a terrorist could imagine.

"In this day and age, you never know when and where terrorism is going to strike. A lot of people think it can't happen in my hometown. It can happen in any hometown,â€ said James Leach of JL Consulting. â€œA city the size of Tulsa needs to be prepared. I think your guys are prepared, it's just a matter of being ready to respond when something does happen."

Tulsa area emergency responders do at least one full scale exercise every year. They point out it's next to impossible to prevent terrorism attacks, but they can be prepared to respond and lessen the results of an attack as quickly as possible.

The key to making these drills successful is to make them as realistic as possible, while keeping it safe, because as they said, you play as you practice.

Watch the video: First Responders, Military Hold Terrorism Drill