Homeland Security simulation tests military's preparedness for nuke disaster

Disaster response teams navigated abandoned cars and victims shouting for help as part of a nuclear training simulation at a military compound in Southern Indiana on Monday.

Clothes were strewn around and signs were left hanging from windows, with pleas for water, while some counted the dead.

The Homeland Security exercise is the largest in the country each year. It is held to test and evaluate the preparedness of the U.S. military to respond to a man-made disaster.

Monday’s training simulated a response to a 10-kiloton nuclear weapon. Don Manuszewski, a public affairs officer for U.S. Army North, said the response would be comparable to a nuclear blast in Indianapolis.

“In a few days, we’ll be resetting for the larger forces,” Manuszewski said. “The next ‘explosion’ is August 10, and the response will be Chicago-size.”

About 200 actors and 400 medical mannequins were scattered around the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville to simulate civilians who survived the blast. The responders wore radiation-proof suits while rescuing the role players and treating their injuries in decontamination tents.

The exercise involved 474 active-duty soldiers, reservists and members of the Indiana National Guard.

More here: [link to cmsstage.indystar.com]