Simulated chemical releases planned for New England
The training sessions, which would include table-top, functional and full-scale field exercises, are intended to test the response to a chemical or terrorist incident by government, industry and community players, as called for in a planning document known as the National Response Framework.
FEMA, which provided sketchy information about the planned exercises in a solicitation it released for a commercial contractor to provide management support, did not identify where in New England the simulations would take place nor what kind of specific chemical facilities would be involved.
The simulations, which will last about six hours each, will involve the management team at the chemical plant as well as federal, state and local law enforcement personnel and emergency responders.
The contractor will develop scripts for the fictional incidents based on its research of industry contingency plans, local emergency plans, maps, piping and instrumentation diagrams for chemical facilities and building schematics. The exercises will strive for authenticity through the use of smoke generators, pyrotechnics, plastic molds and other props, according to FEMA’s solicitation, which was released on February 12.
FEMA has restricted its search for a qualified contractor to small businesses, which will be expected to submit an "Exercise Synopsis" to FEMA and EPA within three days of completing each exercise and a more comprehensive "After-Action Report" within 21 days.
Prospective vendors can contact , contract specialist, at 617-956-7529, by February 22.
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