***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FIRE DEPARTMENT STAGES SECOND ANNUAL BIOPOD EXERCISE AS PART OF BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS PLAN

Second BIOPOD exercise will test mobile deployment of “medications” citywide

Tomorrow evening, the Fire Department will hold its second annual FDNY BIOPOD exercise. The exercise is specifically designed to test and evaluate the Department’s preparedness in providing and distributing preventive medication in the event of a biological exposure. This year, 10 mobile PODs (point of distribution) will be deployed throughout the City’s five boroughs administering “prophylactic medication” to all on-duty members (Fire and EMS) working during the 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM tour. Nearly 2,000 members will receive the “medication.” The exercise is part of the FDNY’s continuing initiative in planning its response to CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) incidents.

Building on the success of last year’s exercise on Staten Island, tomorrow’s drill is being conducted by the FDNY Bureau of Health Services and FDNY Bureau of Operations in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security. The Department’s BIOPOD initiative is part of the City’s overall emergency response plan that combines the efforts of the Fire and Police Department with the Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other city agencies. BIOPOD II will be used to help develop a national model for first responders dealing with bioterrorism.

BIOPOD I – held in October 2002 – was a stationary exercise conducted for only the borough of Staten Island at Sea View Hospital.

**Photo-Op**

Press Contact: Francis X. Gribbon / Virginia Lam (FDNY) (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny