The call came over police radio at about 1:30 p.m. yesterday- an explosion at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael.
"We've got a shelter in place at the Civic Center," the police chatter screeched, as fire trucks and sheriff's deputies raced to the scene.
Moments later those first to arrive made a grim discovery: men and women bloody and contaminated by the nerve gas sarin, victims of a chemical attack. Many were dizzy, vomiting and convulsing.
Yesterday it was just a drill - one that involved firefighters, police and other emergency personnel from every agency in Marin. It was designed to ensure proper communication across multiple agencies, to practice using equipment, and to test the Marin County Office of Emergency Services response plan to weapons of mass destruction.
"The idea is to prepare everyone for something we hope never happens," said Sheriff Sgt. Doug Pittman. "Because of the magnitude and complexity, this requires multiple response. One agency alone could not handle it."
Marin and Sonoma fire agencies do a drill every year that focuses on wildfire. But things were different this year, with law enforcement, fire and emergency services, including hospitals, participating in a scenario that doesn't seem so farfetched since Sept. 11.
"Given the state of affairs of the world with terrorist events, there is a different approach this year," said San Rafael police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher.
The National Guard was also involved in yesterday's drill. In the event of a true emergency, a special unit would provide equipment and supplies to assist Bay Area law enforcement.
"Federal authorities would be consulted to see if this was an isolated event here in Marin," Pittman said.
County Emergency Services Manager Chris Godley set the scene for representatives from agencies who gathered at the mock command center - 100 people were visiting the Civic Center to see a photography exhibit when an explosion occurred.
"Had this truly occurred during the week at the Civic Center, thousands of people would be here," Pittman said.
The San Rafael Fire Department and the sheriff's office were first to respond to aid the victims. Most complained of head ache and nausea, runny noses and teary eyes.
"This tests the ability of first responders to identify the type of event they are walking into," Pittman said. "Based upon the symptoms of victims they are to identify the chemical used."
Crews immediately cordoned off the area with red tape indicating the "hot" zone and yellow for the less severe "warm" zone.
"In reality we would have shut down northbound and southbound traffic on Highway 101 from Marinwood to Central San Rafael," said Pittman.
Everyone had to be decontaminated before being transported to hospitals to prevent spreading of contaminates. Firefighters told victims to strip and put their clothes and other belongings in plastic bags.
Those who could walk on their own hobbled through a decontamination line where two fire engines sat a few feet apart and sprayed cold water from hoses at 60 pounds of pressure per square inch.
"They need to get cleaned to the point where they can be transported to the hospital," Pittman said.
Nearby, tents were erected as a holding area for a second decontamination where victims got a more thorough wash with soap.
Meanwhile, across the way the county hazardous material team donned Level A personal protection suits, each with a self-contained breathing apparatus. The team was preparing to approach victims in the Civic Center who were closer to the explosion and more severely exposed to the chemical. They carry "sniffers" that are used to detect gas and explosive levels.
Victims who were too injured to move on their own were wheeled out on stretchers and decontaminated by emergency personnel who scrubbed them as they lay flat.
Victim Brian Cabaud, of Novato, waited with a broken arm, his chemical exposure sending him into shock, watching others get decontaminated.
"We are further back," Cabaud said. "Waiting for the firefighters to get to us is pretty unnerving."
Cabaud is working to become an EMT and volunteered for the drill.
"Based on the threat made on our homeland front, this is something that needs to be done," said Cabaud of the drill.
All the while, law enforcement agents were trying to determine if the suspect or suspects behind the attack were among the victims.
"Once public safety and health issues are addressed, then it becomes a crime scene with FBI jurisdiction," said Rohrbacher.
Godley said about 12 evaluators monitored the event looking for how emergency personnel performed, their communication with each other, how they use equipment and more. An additional 30 people observed the event.
Authorities will discuss the response and an evaluation will be prepared to identify things that need improvement, Pittman said.
San Rafael Fire Capt. Kevin Meiswinkel said the real thing would likely bring an element of pandemonium that could not be created in a drill but the exercise is still a valuable one.
"Without this there is no frame of reference," Meiswinkel said. "After today we will definitely know where we need to go."
By Carla Bova, IJ reporter
cbova@marinij.com
From the Marin IJ | |
Saturday, February 4, 2012