Disease exercise keeps JB MDL on toes

Published Oct. 13, 2011
By Airman Ryan Throneberry
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst conducted a full scale biological agent attack exercise Oct. 6 and 7 here.

The exercise was formulated to assess the capabilities of the installation Disease Containment Plan and to determine what can be done better in the future to improve medical emergency readiness.

The primary objectives of this exercise included demonstrating the installation's biological incident response capability; the ability to work with local community partners; and to incorporate all commands and mission partners on base including community emergency medical services and hospitals in the scenario.

The day began with a simulated C-17 Globemaster III returning from Southwest Asia, contaminated with a biological agent. 54 passengers in the scenario were unaware terrorists had exposed them to an unknown agent with a three to five day incubation period. The passengers spread throughout the local area before the flu-like symptoms became known.

Personnel with the 87th Medical Group and Virtua Memorial Hospital simulated tesing the disease. Tests came back positive for Yersinia Pestis, also known as the pneumonic plague. Notification of the outbreak was sent out, launching the DCP into effect. Two points of distribution were set up at Griffith Field House and the McGuire Fitness Center where affected personnel could receive immunizations and medical treatment.

The base-wide exercise went as planned, with only a few hitches along the way, said Bob Scherer, chief of the Exercise and Evaluations Office.

"Not everything went perfect, but it's not supposed to," said Scherer. "The goal is always perfection, but every time we do an exercise, we learn ways to improve our methods of training and planning."

Real names of personnel were used throughout the scenario, allowing players to take 100 percent realistic accountability.

"The more real we make the scenarios, the more the participants get out of the experience," said Scherer.

The 87th Medical Group had a played a major role in the Disease Containment Exercise. The 87th MDG used the exercise opportunity to develop and understanding of how best to handle disease crisis situations, said Lt. Col. Vincent Kirkner, Chief Nurse Executive for the 87th MDG.

"The two mass-prophylaxis POD lines at the McGuire Fitness Center and Griffith Field House stood up in a timely manner which allowed distribution of medications to 103 personnel." said Kirkner.

Kirkner mentioned the success of the PODs but also noted a lesson-learned.
"We will continue working on better coordination with medical assets at Lakehurst to ensure we have the same capabilities organized, trained, and equipped for identification, treatment, and prevention across the joint base," said Kirkner.

The exercise closed with a mock press conference held by a panel of base leadership including Deputy Commander Col. Joseph Whitlock. The panel was grilled with questions regarding the incident by mock media members to test their ability to respond under pressure. Whitlock said practice like this is invaluable for leadership and is the best way to prepare for the event of a real press conference.

Mike Stefani, chief of the Plans and Programs Office, said the number one benefit from this exercise was working with community partners including: Lourdes and Virtua Hospitals, County Public Health Offices from both Burlington and Ocean County and the Department of Public Health.

"The exercise highlighted disconnects between installation and community planning," said Stefani. "Because of this, we are better prepared to work with the community in the event of a disease containment scenario. As always, planning is the key to preparedness."

Base personnel can expect more exercises in the future ranging from active-shooter scenarios to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives.

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